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co» United States Patent Bushnell et al. USO1O: 102856452 (10) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent: US 10,285,645 B2 May 14, 2019 6a om m oy an a 6) on (2) (8) SENSING CONTACT FORCE RELATED TO SER WEARING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE Applicant: Apple Ine., Cupertino, CA (US) lnventons: “Tyler 8. Bushnell, Cupertino, CA (U Steven J. Martisauskas, Cupertino, CA (US); Erik G. de dong, Cupertino, CA (US); Andrze) T. Baranski, Cupertino CAS): Serhan O. Isikman, Cupertino, CA (US): Steven Banaska, Cupertino, CA (L Whitehurst, Cupertino, CA (US) Sartee, More Bay, CA (US) Assignee: Apple Ine., Cupertino, CA (US) Notive: Subject o any disclaimer, dhe tem ofthis patent is extended or adjusted under 35 USC. 184(b) by 764 days Appl. No. 14/867,311 Filed: Sep. 28, 2018 Prior Publication Data US 2017/0086743.AL_— Mat. 30, 2017 Int. Cl Asi 5/00 (200601) Gon. V4 (200501) (43C 700 (200501) 4618 5021 (200601), us. Cl cP AGIB 5/6843 (2013.01); AGIB 5/681 G01 1}, Gout 1442 2013.01); 4618 5021 (QO13.01}: 4618 5/412 (2013.01): 4618 14873 (2013.01); AGIB 25620261 (2013.01) Field of Classification Seureh cre ‘A432 LUO AASB 18/125: AA3C 7100: “AABC 11/20; Ad3C 1/06; ASIB. 2090/061: AGLIB 2090064; A612 256210261; AGIB 5/486; AGIB 5681: A61B 516831 spe 600/300, 322, 587, 595; 340/407. See application file for complete search history. References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS SO8916 BY 12011 Caldwell ta. Sear3us b2 ‘33013. Diekinn ea Sisss900 8242014 Tran Srogest BD 72014 Tran (Continued) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS ow woes u013 OTHER PUBLICATIONS, US. Appl. No. 14867.290 filed Sop. 28,201, Harrison Noonan a (Continued) Primary Examiner — May A Abouelela (74) Adore, Agent, or Firm — Brownstein Hyatt Parber Schreck, LLP on A weanble electronic device includes « body, 9 housing ‘component, «band operable to attach the body to a body part ‘of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing com ponent, The force sensor is operable wo produce & force ‘anal hosed on a fore exerted between the body part of the ser and the housing component. A processing unit of the \Wearahle elecionic device receives the force sigl from the force sensor and determines the foee exerted onthe housing ‘component bated thereon. The processing unit may use that fee to detemmine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on ‘caver als, andor to perform various other aetios, ABSTRACT ims, 7 Drawing Sheets US 10,285,645 B2 Page 2 (56) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS 781701 B2 72014 Panther SO00382 BD 122014 Hong et 9274307 18242016 Kim ta Sisoio21 BI 42017 ensein 978L9sh Bayan tl 9's7s008 Cael 9998120 Rhee 1o.061380 200sio07dse2 doosin0s3) DODRITIDIS AL* 72008 ao1o.o24s7s ar 22010 201U0125037 AL* S201 jim 20130083661 Albert ea dovaionst70s ‘Rureweil aoisorso137 Stvorie ea Do1sor7a9se Martinee 2014020081 Martinez 20140257080 AI* 92014 Kuroda 201410296749 AI 102014 Reid Jn Aste 52071 066 1163 ‘Gost 044 GOs 1168 sib 502244 ‘00:30 omnia 731862626 ASI S2838 ‘00:50 AstB S408 00:506 G06F 1500 20637 aoot 15900 ‘00/200 Ast st020s ‘00301 AGU 50083, 00387 2OISODBITLL AL 42015 Kosonen ea aoisonssaio Al® S2018 Ww Ase 58 238 20180173635 A1* 62015 Shimiow Ast 502858 0479 20190207132 A1* 102015 Biche ASI S88 ‘60301 20190505675 AL 102015 Mier eta aoL6O0se3HS AL* 32016 Kwon Asin 57221, ‘00547 20160066844 A1* 32016 Venkatraman... ABIES 50002 702/141 2016OOTL4OR AI 22016 Jiao AsiB Sid ‘0.300 201600074649 1% 32016 Willis AGIN 0434 ‘00:587 2O16O143584 AI $2016 Inagaki AsIB S681 ‘600300 20160256116 A1* 92016 Baik Asi S778 dorronss742 AL 42017 20170086745 8132017 Bushnell ea (OTHER PUBLICATIONS, Demontyer etal “WeisFlex Low-Power Gesture lap with Wes Wom Pressure Season.” UIST 2014, Ost. 5-8, 2014, Honolulu, Halwa, 6 pages * cited by examiner U.S. Patent May 14, 2019 Sheet 1 of 7 US 10,285,645 B2 1038 103A U.S. Patent May 14, 2019 Sheet 2 of 7 US 10,285,645 B2 FIG. 2B U.S. Patent May 14, 2019 Sheet 3 of 7 US 10,285,645 B2 os 108 226: FIG. 2C 8 ie 332 315 BE 331 cf 3 SE ao 304 FIG.3 U.S. Patent May 14, 2019 Sheet 4 of 7 US 10,285,645 B2 FIG. FIG.S U.S. Patent May 14, 2019 Sheet 5 of 7 US 10,285,645 B2 FIG.6 FIG.7 U.S. Patent — May 14,2019 Sheet 6 of 7 US 10,285,645 B2 00/7 S10] MONITOR FORCE SENSOR’ —— RECEIVE SIGNAL s80-\_[ DETERMINE BAND TIGHTNESS ASSOCIATED WITH SIGNAL. FIG.8 9007 | RECEIVE MEASUREMENT FROM HEALTH SENSOR RECEIVE SIGNAL FROM HOUSING COMPONENT 20 ™ FORCE SENSOR DETERMINE HEALTH INFORMATION BASED ON THE 930. ™ SIGNAL AND THE MEASUREMENT FIG.9 1000-7 1010 RECEIVE FIRST SIGNAL FROM COVER GLASS FORCE SENSOR, 1020. RECEIVE SECOND SIGNAL FROM HOUSING COMPONENT FORCE SENSOR a DETERMINE FORCE ON COVER GLASS USING FIRST SIGNAL 1040. DETERMINE FORCE ON HOUSING COMPONENT USING SECOND SIGNAL 1050 ADJUST DETERMINED FORCE ON COVER GLASS USING SECOND SIGNAL FIG. 10 U.S. Patent May 14, 2019 Sheet 7 of 7 US 10,285,645 B2 100 WEARABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE. PROCESSING UNIT = fe iT 1 FORCE_ | [STORAGE ISENSOR(S) |" MEDIA. | [SENSORGS) y 5D 5 Le sz us 154 COMMUNICATION UNIT ry 1130 : S COMMUNICATION | ELECTRONIC DEVICE UNIT 137 11s. : 5 PROCESSING STORAGE UNIT MEDIA FIG. 11 US 10,285,645 B2 1 SENSING CONTACT FORCE RELATED TO USER WEARING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICI FIELD ‘The described embodiments relate generally to wearable ‘electri devices, More particularly, the prevent embod ments relate 10 sensing the force applied to a wearable ‘leciroaic device by a user's body part when a user is ‘wearing the wearable electric device BACKGROUND, Users frequently encounter a variety of different elec- tronic devices i the modem world, Such eleetronie devies inchude computers, media players, entertainment systems, displays, communication systems, and s0 on. Many elec tronic devices. such as laptop computers, tablet computers, tnd smart phones, may be portable Some electronic deviees, referred t0 as “wearable elee- 2 tronic devices,” may be configured to be worm by a user. In some eases, sich a wearable electronic device may include ‘one or more bands, straps, or other atachiment mechanisms that may be used 0 attach the wearable electron device 0 a user's hody part. For example, a wrist worn wearable ‘electronic device may inelude a band that can be used (0 secre the weamble electronic device to a user's wrist. ‘Wearable electronic devices may include a variety of ‘components. For example, weanible electronic deviees may inchide input devices that a user can manipulate by touch, By way of another example, wearable electronic devices may include various sensors, such as sensors that may be used to detect infomation about the wer. SUMMARY ‘The present disclosure relates 10 wearable electronic devices that sense the force applied to the wearable ele ttonie device by a user's body part when the users wearing the wearable electronic device. The wearable electronic device may include a body, a housing component, and a band or other attachment mechanism operahle to attach the body to the body part of a user. A force sensor may be positioned between the housing component and the body that produces force signals based ona force exerted between the user's body part and the housing component. process- ing unit may receive the force signals and process them 10 perform various actions in various embodiments, a wearable electronic device inchudes a body. a housing component coupled to the body. ‘hand operable to attach the bady to a body part of a user, 4 force sensor coupled (0 the housing component that is ‘operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted herween the body’ part of the user andthe housing compo neat, and & processing unit communicably coupled to the foree sensor. The pincessing tnt may be operable to deter- mine a tightness of the band based on the force signal received from the force sensor. Tn some examples, the force sensor may be a strain gauge mounted 10 a deflection element that is connected 10 the body and the housing component. In such an example, the force signal may indicate deflection ofthe deflection ele- rent based on sean data deveted by the strain gauge In various examples, the force sensor may be a gasket positioned between the body of the wearable electronic ‘device and the housing component. The gasket may include 4 pair of electrodes separated by a deformable material. In 2 suet an example, the force signal may indicate a capacitance between the pair of electrodes. The pur of electrodes may form a capacitor and the foree signal may represent capacitance ofthe capacitor. Tnoneor more examples, the force sensor may inlude an flectrode. In such an example, the foree signal may indicate capacitance between the electrode and the body part ofthe twser The electrode and the body part of the wser may form 8 capacitor and the foree signal may representa capacitance ofthe capacitor. The electrode may’ be coupled to one of the hhousing component, the body. or aciruit board couple to the body. In some embodiments, the electrode may be formed of indium tin oxide, nanostructures, nanomesh, ranowires, «conductive film, and so on Tn some examples, the wearable electronic device may further include a circuit board coupled to the body, and the foe sensor may include a first electrode coupled to the housing component and a second electrode coupled to the circuit board. In such an example, the forse signal received trom the first and second electrodes may indicate a eapaci- tance between the fist electrode and the second electrode. In various cases of such an example, the frst electrode may be ‘fist set of electrodes andthe second electrode may be a second st of electrodes. In some eases of this example the hhousing component may be flexible. Tn some embodiments, a wearable electron device may include a body, a surface component coupled to the body, 8 Inalth sensor coupled to the body, a foree sensor coupled 1 the surface component, and a processing unit communicably coupled tothe force sensor. The surface component may be positioned adjacent 10 a body part of a user when the ‘Wearable electronic device is worn, The health seasor may be operable to obtain a measurement ofthe body par of the see: The forse sensor may be operable to produce a force sana based on a force exerted between the body part of the ‘ser and the surface component. The processing unit may’ be ‘operable to determine health information forthe user based ‘oft the force signal received from the force sensor and the measurement obtained by the health sensor In one or more examples, the health information may include at least one ofa swelling indication, a blood pres- sure, a body fat indication, an allege reaction indication, hydration indication, or an edema indication. Tn various examples, the processing unit may detennine whether the meastrement obsined by the health sensor is ‘aeurate based on the force sigal In some examples, the wearable electronic device may include a band operable o attach the body to the body part ff the uscr. In such examples, the processing unit may ‘determine a tightness of the band based on the force signal the tighiness ofthe band is within «range of foree values, the processing. unit may determine the mensurement ‘obtained by the health sensor is accurate Ifthe tightness of the band is outside the ringe of Force values, the processing ‘unit may determine the measurement obtained By the health In various examples, the wearable electronic device may further include a band operable to atach the body to the body part of the user and a band tightness adjustment ‘cchanism, In such an example, the processing unit may ‘determine a tightness of the band based on the force signal received from the fore sensor and cause the tightness ofthe band to be altered sing the band tightness adjustment ‘mechanism, In various eases, the processing unit may p- vide a notification to the user by causing the tighiness ofthe band to be altered. US 10,285,645 B2 3 Tone or more embodiments, wearable electronic device may include a bod a caver glass coupled to the body, Plate coupled to the body, fist force sensor coupled tothe ‘cover glass, a second Force sensor coupled to the plate, and ® processing unit commnicably coupled to the fist and second force sensors. Te plate may be positioned adjacent to abody part ofa user when the wearbe eletronie device is wom, The fist foree sensor may be operable to produce «frst force signal based ona fist force exerted onthe cover bss. The second force sensor may be operable to produce 8 second force signal based on a second force exerted between the body part of the user and the plate, The Processing unit may be operable to determine an amont of the frst force based on te frst force signal, determine an ‘amount oF the second force based on the seoond force signal, tnd adjust the amount of the fist froe based on the second force signal In various examples, the processing unit may be further ‘operable to adjust the amount of the second forge based on the first fore signal, For example, the frst force exerted on 2 the cover plass may cause additional force to be exerted brwoen the body part of the wer andthe plate. In order 0 dsermine the second force exeried between the body part of the user and the plate without the additional force being ‘exerted dv f te first foree exerted on the cover alas, the ‘amount ofthe second foree may be adjusted based on the fist farce signal to remove the inuence ofthe fist fore. Tn some examples, the processing unit may be further ‘operable to determine a pressure 10 which the body is ‘exposed based on the first fore signal receive rom the ist foe sensor and the second force signal received from the second Force sensor, such as a water pressure Tn one oF more examples, the processing unit may deter rine whether the wearable electronic device is woen by the user based on the second force signal received from the second force sensor. BRIEP DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS “The disclosure will be readily understond by the fllow- ing detailed description in conjunetion with the accompa ying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, snd in which FIG. 1A shows a wearable clectic device that may sense the force exerted by a body part of a user on the Wearable electronic device when the user is wearing the Wearable electronic device FIG. 1B shows the wearable electonic device of FIG. LA from the back with the band opened FIG. 24 shows an example cross-sectional view of the wearable elecitonic device of FIG. 1B, taken along ine A-A of FIG. 1B. FIG. 2B shows the wearable electtonie device of FIG. 24 ‘on a user's body par. FIG. 2C shows the wearable electronic device of PIG, 2B ser tightening of the band FIGS. 3-7 show addtional examples of the wearable ‘electronic device of FIG. 2A in accordance with farther ‘emboiments IG. 8 shows a flow char illustrating an example method for determining band tightness. This method may be per- formed by one or more a the wearable electonic deviees of FIGS. 1A, FIG. 9 shows a flow char illustrating an example method for determining health informatio using a health sensor and 4 force sensor. This method may be performed by one or more of the wearable electronic devices of FIGS, 1A-7. 4 FIG. 10 shows a flow chart illustrating an example method for adjusting detected fore determinations. ‘This rethod may be performed! by one oF more of the wearable clecirnie devices of FIGS, 147 TIG. I shows a block disgram illestating example ‘components that may be utilized in the wearable eleeteonie sevice and example functional relationships of those com: ponents, DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments ilustmted in the accompanying drwwings. Ic Should be understood tht the following descriptions are aot ‘tended Fimit the embodiments 0 one prefered embost- ment. To the contrary, itis intended to cover alteatives, ‘aifcations, and equivalents as ean be incladed within the spirit and scope ofthe deseribed embodiments s defined by the appended claims. The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, and apparatuses that embody various elements of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of orm in addition to those deseribed herein, The following disclosure relates to wearable electronic devices operable to sense the force applied to the wearable electronic device by body part of a user when the user is ‘wearing the wearable electronic device. The wearable elec- teonie device may inchWde a body, a housing. component (uch as plate, eurved plate, or other surfece component), sul bond of aerate meine pete tach the body to the body part of a user. force senso be pocttoned between ic busing compoocot aa the body such that it produces force signals based on a force exerted between the usee’s body part and the housing component. A processing unit may fective the force signals and process {hem fo perform various aetons For example, the processing unit may process the force signals to determine a tightness of the band, such a8 for viomatie band adjustment. By way of another example, the processing unit may use the orce signals to determine health {information forthe user, sch asin combination with mea- surements of the body part obtained via a health sensor included in the body. By way of sill another example, the body may include an input mechanism (uch as a touch surface including 2 cover glass) that interprets the force of ‘user's touch as input and the processing unit may’ use the force signals and signals from the input mechanism to adjust determinations of force applied to thehousing component or {apt mechanism, Various nses fr the force signals from the force sensor ane possible and contemplated. “These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to FIGS, LA-II, However, those skilled inthe art ‘ill eadily appreciate that the detail description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be constraed as limiting. FIG, LAshowsa wearable eleeeonic device 100 that may sense the force applied tothe wearable electron device 100 ‘when the user is wearing the wearable electronic device 100 FIG. IB shows the weimble electronic device 100 of FIG. 1A frou the back with the band 102 opened With reftrence 19 FIGS. 1A and 1B, the wearable elec- twonie device 100 may include main body 1OL that is ‘operable to be coupled tothe body part of a user (such as \Weist) via the band 102 or other attachment mectianism. For ‘example the band 102 may be operable to attach tothe main body 107 and tothe body part ofthe user, thus attaching the US 10,285,645 B2 5 rain body 101 to the body paet of the user: A housing ‘component 104 (such as a plate, a curved plate, or other surface component) may be coupled tothe main body 101 in such a way thatthe wearable electronic device 100 may determine the amount of force exerted by the user's body part contacting the housing component 104 when the band 4102 is attached to use. The wearable electronic device 100 may utilize the determined force in varity of ways that will be discussed in detail bolow: The housing component 104 may be a sensor plate sssociate with # sensor of the main body 101. As such, the housing component 104 may include one oF more sensor Windows 108 associated with the operation ofthat sensor “The hand 102 may inclode a first hand portion 103A and ‘second band portion 1038, The second band portion 1030. may include & band tightening, mechanism 106 that is ‘operable ta tighten the band 102 around the wser's body part. However, it is understood that this is an example, In various implementation, the first and portion 103A may include sucha tightening mechanism insted of andlor in adlition to the second band portion 1032, Further, in sme inmplemen- tations, the band 102 may not have separate portions andlor may have more than two portions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure FIG. 2A shows an example cross-sectional view of the wearable electro device 100 of FIG. 1B, taken along line ACA of TIG. IB. The housing component 104 may be ‘coupled tothe main body 101 vis. a housing component force easor 210 (such as via one of more adhesives, springs, andor other attachment mechanisms). The housing compo neat foree sensor 210 may inchide one or more frst clec- trades 211 separated from one or more second electrodes 213 by a deformable material 212 (such as silicone, an air 2p, and so on) For example, the frst and second electrodes 211 and 213 may be discrete electrodes or sets of electrodes ‘The irst and second electrodes 211 and 213 may be included ina flexible eiruit layer. The frst and second electrodes 211 and 213 may be aligned to form a capacitor. Force exerted ‘on the housing component 104 may deform the deformable material 212, changing the proximal of the frst und second ‘lectodes 211 and 213 and thus a capacitance ofa eapacitor formed by the fist and second electrodes 211 and 213 (e., the capacitance between the frst and sscond electrodes 211 and 213). The housing component foree sensor 210 may tenerate force signals that represent the changes in eapaci- ‘A processing unit 218 may be disposed within the main body 101. In this example, the processing unit 218 may be disposed on a printed ciouit board 216 mounted within the body. such as via one or more adhesives andlor other ‘attachment mechanisms. The printed cireuit board 216, and thus the processing unit 218, may be connected t0 the housing component force sensor 210 via a flex eireuit 214 (andlor other electrical or communication connection), The Processing unit 218 may receive the force signal generated by the housing component force sensor 210 via the Mex circit 214 and the printed circuit hoard! 216, The processing Unit 218 may associate various exerted force values with various capacitance changes. As such, the processing unit 218 may analyze the force signal to determine the force ‘exerted on the hoosing component 104 The force determined by the processing unit 218 by analyzing force signals may be a non-binary value. The processing unit 218 may analyze the foree signals vo deter= mine forces across a range of force values a8 apposed to detecting that threshold amount of foree is exerted, The » 6 processing unit 218 may analyze force signals to correlate data inthe force signals ton amount of force applied out of ‘range of possible frees ‘The processing unit 218 may utilize the determined force exerted on the housing component 104 for a variety of purposes. Examples that will be discussed in further detail below include determining tightness of the band 102 (sich as for automatic band adjustment, signaling a user to adjust, anal so on), determining whether or not the wearable elec twonie device 100 is being worn, and obtaining user input Goch as wrist movement gestures and so on), determining health information (using the determined fore alone andlor in combination with measurements from a health sensor andor other data). Additionally or alternatively, the process- ing unit 218 may wilize the determined fore exerted om the housing component 104 in combination with force deter sine based on signals from another force sensor (euch os to adjust one or both of the determined forces to determine pressure based on both determined forees, and s0 of}. However, it is understood tht these are examples and tha the processing unit 218 may utilize the determined force ‘exerted on the housing component 104 fora variety of other prposes (scl as i combination with data trom one oF more accelerometers, gyroscopes, altimeters, and s0 on) ‘without departing ftom the seape of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the housing component force sensor 210 may function asa gasket, positioned ina perim- ‘(er between the main body 104 and the housing component 104, and forming a seal between the main body 104 and the housing component 14. Further, although the housing eom ponent force sensor 210 is described as a single Force sensor, {is understood that ths is an example, In Various imple: ‘mentations, multiple housing component force sensors 210 ‘may be positioned in a perimeter between the main body 101 find the housing component 104. The multiple housing ‘component Torce sensors 210 may be part of gasket oF bother stricture that includes the housing component foree sensors 210 with the defonmable material 212 andor other ‘materials filling gaps in berwoen the housing, component Tree sensors 210, ln such aa implementation, the processing unit 218 may analyze and compare force signa from cach housing component force sensor 210 (0 determine one oF sore forces exerted on the housing component 104 in various dircctions, at various positions, and so on. As discussed above, the tghiness ofthe band 102 may be determined by the processing unit 218 using the determined ree exerted on the housing component 104, FIG. 2B shows the wearable electtonie device 100 of FIG, 24 on a user's body part 230 (depicted asthe user's wrist, though this is merely an example and any body part may be used in other implementations). The user's body part 280 may exert force fm the housing component 104. The force exerted by the ‘see's body part 230 onthe housing component 104 may be proportional othe tighiness of the band 102. In other words, the tighter the band 102, the more force exered bythe user's body part 230 on the housing component 104, Similarly, the looser the band 102, the less force exerted by the user's body part 230 on the housing component 104 ‘The tightness ofthe Band 102 may be significant for user comfort, ensuring the wearable electronic device 100 stays tached, and s0 on. AS such, the tightness ofthe band 102 ‘may be monitored for user comfort based on deft tght- ness stings, user specified comfort settings, and so of. If the band 102 00 tight oF too loose the processing unit 218 ‘may provide output instructing the user to adjust the band 102, automatically adjust the band 102 using # mechanism US 10,285,645 B2 7 suchas the band tightening mechanism 106 discussed below, andor perform other such actions. The lightness of the band 102 may be significant for reasons other than como, In various implementations, the ‘wearable electronic device 100 may include one oF more sensors andor other components whose operation may ‘depend on tightness of the hand 102. In such implementa- tions, the processing unit 218 may provide adjustment instrictons ander adjust the band 102 0 improve operation ‘of such sensors andlor other components, For example, a health sensor 218 may be coupled to the housing component 104. In one embodiment, the health seasor 215 may bea photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor that ‘mits ligt throvgh the sensor windows 105 into the user's by part 230 and receives the portion of the transmited light thats reflected back from the user's body part 230. The health sensor 218 may be coupled tothe processing unit 218 via the printed circuit board 216 and a flex circuit 217 {andlor other eletrical or communication connection) and ray transmit measurements regarding the received light 0 the processing unit 218, The operation of the health sensor 218 may be allected by the tightness of the hand 102. Por ‘example, the health sensor 218 may’ transmit less accurate measurements ifthe band 102 is too loose. As suck, the 2 processing unit 218 may provide adjustment instructions ‘andior tighten the band 102 to improve operation of the health sensor 218, FIG. 2C shows the wearable electronic device 100 of FIG. 21 ater tightening of the band 102 by the band tightening ‘mechanism 106 as controlled by the processing unit 218. In this example, the second band portion 1038 may be divided into sections separated by a gap 226. The sections may be ‘connected to a Winch mechanism 228 by cords 229 (andor Wires or other joining mechanisms), The winch mechanism 228 may be controlled by a motor 227, which may be ‘connected to the printed circuit board 216, and thus the processing unit 218, via & flex circuit 225 (andor other ‘electrical or communication connection). Ths, the process= jing unit 218 may coatrol the winch mocbanista 22810 roll and/or unroll the cords 229 to bring the vetions closer and narrow the gap 226 (See FIG. 2C) and/or (0 allow the sections to move further apart ancl expand the gap 226 (Soe FIG. 28), However, it is understood that the band tightening mechs- nism 106 is an example, Other band tightening mechanisms 4106 constructed from various different components fune- Uioning under various differen principles of operation can be used without departing from the seope of the present dis- ‘closure. For example, in some implementations, a memory Wie such as Nitinol may be embedded inthe band 102. The processing unit 218 may cause eurent to be provided wo such 8 memory wire in order to change the shape ofthe memory Wie, thus adjusting the tighiness of the band 102. ‘Moreover, a8 discussed ahove, the processing unit 218 may’ utilize the detemnined force exerted on the housing ‘component 104 to determine whether or at the wearable ‘electronic device 100 is curently being wom. In various implementations, the processing unit 218 may operate in diffrent states depending on whether or not the wearable ‘electronic device 100 is curently wom (such as an active Sate if worn and asleep oF lower power state iTunwoen). In such implementations, the processing wnit 218 may deter- rine tha the wearable electconie device 100 is worn if the determined force exerted on the housing component 104 is above a threshold force value and thatthe wearable elee- » 8 twonie device 100 is unworn if the determined force exerted om the housing component 104 is below the threshold force value As also diseussed above, the processing unit 218 may utilize the determined force exert on the housing compo- rent 104 to obtain user input. For example different move- ments of the user's body part 230 (such as bending of the ‘west, flexing of the wrist, and so on) may exert diferent forces on the housing component 104, The processing unit 218 may analyze the determined force in order wo determine how the user's body part 230 has moved. These diferent Imavements: may be interpreted as gestures that are associ- sted with diffewent inputs. As sueh, the user may provide prticular input to the processing unit 218 by mak particular mevemeats. Foe example, bending of the user's body part 230 may indicate tothe provessing unit 218 that the user wants to wake the wearable electronic device 100 {rom a sleep and/or otherwise low power state AAs further discussed above, the processing unit 218 may utilize the determined force exerted on the housing compo= rent 104 to determining. health information. In some examples, the processing unit 218 may utilize the detr- ‘ined force by itself to determine health information, In other examples, the processing unit 218 may utilize the ‘determined face in combination with measurements fom a health sensor 218 andlor data from other sensors or devices (Guch as a camera, an aveelerometer, and so on). In some implementations the processing unit 218 may determine a tightness of the band 102 base om the deer- rined force overtime, This determined tightness overtime ‘may be used to determine size changes in the users body part 230 overtime. Using such data, the processing unit 218 may be able wo determine andior detect an indication of a users body fat, an indication of blood pressure, an intica- tion ofa pulse rate, an indication of swelling (sch as caused by an alec reaction, peshaps to a material used in the ‘wearable eleetronie device 100), an indication of an allergic reaction, an indication of hydration (such as by elation of swelling over time), an indication of conditions such a ‘edema or cutaneaus edema, and so on. Tn various imple= ‘mentation, the processing unit 218 may utilize the deter ‘ined tightness in combination with measurements by the Inalth sensor 215, such a a PPG sensor, to determine health information of the user sich as blood perfusion, Tn sill other implementations, the processing unit 218 ‘may receive messtrements trom the health sensor 215, However, as described earlier, the measurements ansmitted by the health sensor 215 may be inaccurate or less accurate if the band 102 is too loose of too tight, AS such, the processing unit 218 may distegarl measurements from the health sensor 215 if the determined foree exerted on the housing component 104 indicates the band 102 isto loose oF too tight Altematively, the processing. unit 218 may attempt to obiain a replacement measurement from the heallh sensor 21S ifthe determined force exerted on the housing compo= ‘nent 104 indicates the band 102 is 100 loose oF too tight In such aa example, measurements may be discarded if ‘obtained from the health sensor 218 when the determined free exerted on the housing component 104 indicates the band 102 is too loose or too tight. In various implement tions, the processing unit 218 may attempt to correct pos sible inaeeurices in the measurentent ‘As atonal discussed above, the processing unit 218 ‘may’ lilize the determined force exerted on the housing ‘component 104 in combination with Torce signals from ‘nother force sensor andor data from other eomponents. In US 10,285,645 B2 9 various examples, the processing unit 218 may adjust the force determined from the other fore sensor, adjust the determined foree exerted on the housing, component 104 based on the foree determined from the ther force sensor, ‘determine pressure based on both determined frees, and so For example, the wearable electonic device 100 may inchide an input device that interprets exerted force as inp. As shown in FIGS. 24-2C, the main body 101 may include 8 cover glass 224 (which may be pat ofa display such as a touch display) coupled to the min body 101, The cover lass 224 may be coupled 10 a cover glass foree sensor 220, (such as via one or more adhesives or other attachment mechanisms). The cover glass force seasor 220 may include ‘one or more first electrodes 221 separate from one or more second electrodes 223 by deformable material 222 (such as silicone, an airgap. and so on) The fist and electrodes 221 tnd 223 may form a capocitor Force exerted om the cover ‘lass 224 may deform the deformable material 222, chang- ing a capacitance of the capacitor. The caver glass force seasor 220 may generate force signals indicating such ‘changes in capacitance. “The cover glass force sensor 220 may be coupled to the printed iteuit board 216, and thus the processing unit 218, Via a Nex cieuit 219 (andior other eletical or communi= cation connection). The processing unit 218 may receive the force signals generated by the cover glass force sensor 220 ia the lex cteuit 219 and the printed iret board 216, The processing unit 218 may associate various exerted Force ‘Values with various capacitance changes. As such, the pro- cessing unit 218 may analyze the force signal to determine the amount of fore exerted on the cover glass 224 The processing unit 218 may evaluate both the frst force signals generated by the bousing component force seusor 210 corresponding to the force exerted on the housing ‘component 104 and the second force signals generated by the cover glass force sensor 220 corresponding tothe Force ‘exerted on the cover glass 224. In some implementations, the processing nit 218 may utilize one of the foe signals to adjust the other of the force signals For example, «force exerted hy a user on the cover glass 224 while the wearable electronic device 100 is worn may be diferent from a force epplied while the wearable clee- tronic deviee 100 is unwom, This may be becaise the wearable elecionic device 100 is being pressed between the ‘exertion of force om the cover glass 224 and the lore between the user's body part 230 and the wearable elec- tronic device 100 when the wearable electronic device 100 is worn. Conversely, force exerted on the cover glass 224 is not opposed hy foree between the user's body part 230 and the Wearable electronic device 100 when the wearable ‘electronic device 100 is unsworn ‘Thus, the same amount of foe exerted on the cover gass 224 could be determined be alllereat depending on whether oF not the weurible ‘electronic device 100 is wom at the time Therefore the processing unit 218 may modily the force detected on the cover glass 224 by any force detected on the housing component 104 inorder forthe processing unit 218 to determine force exerted on the cover glass 224 more uniformly regardless whether the wearable electronic device 4100 is worn or not. For example, the force detected on the housing component 104 may be subtracted from the force sdeected onthe cover glass 224. By way of another example, ‘modifier may be added 1 the force detected on the cover lass 224 when force is nat detected on the housing com ponent 104, Such # modifier may corespond to the force » 10 normally detected on the housing component 104 when the ‘Wearable electronic device 100 is wor, ‘By way of another example, ifonly the force exerted on the housing component 104 is used w determine the tight- ness ofthe bund 102 while a user is exerting a force on the cover glass 224, the processing unit 218 may determine that the band 102 is tighter than it weally is. Tis is because the farce exerted onthe cover glass 224 also exerts force on the housing component foree sensor 210, To determine a more ageuratetighiness of the band 102, the processing wait 218 ‘ay subtract the fore exerted om the eaver glass 224 from the force exerted on the housing component 104 (andor otherwise modify the determined force exerted on the hous: Jing component 104 based on the force exerted on the cower lass 228), In other implementations, the processing unit 218 may tse both forees in combination, For example, if force is exerted on both the housing component 104 and the cover lass 224 in relatively equal amounts, the processing unit 218 may determine thatthe forees are de to pressure as ‘opposed to a user exerting foree. The processing unit 218 fay then evaluate the forces to determine a pressure ‘which the wearable electronic device 100 is subjected. In some examples, the pressure may be hydrostatic pres- sure or water pressure, such as where the wearable electronic device 100 is submerged in water andor other liquid. In such ‘an example, the processing unit 248 may associate the forees detected with particular hydrostatic pressures in onder to ‘determine a depth of liquid i which the wearable eleceonic ‘deve 100 is immerse ‘Although « particular configuration of the housing com: ponent 104, the main body 101, and the housing component Tree sensor 210 are shown and described, iis understood that this is an example. In other implementations, various configurations ofthe same, similar, andor different compo- rents may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, For example, FIGS. 3-7 show adi- tional examples of the wearable electronic device 100 of FIG. 2A in accordance with further embodiments. FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation including a deflection elemeat 331 coupled i one or more stain gauges $332. The deflection clement 381 may he connected to the inealth sensor 315 andor the housing component 304 such that force exerted on the housing component 304 may eats the deflection element 331 to deflect. An electrical property ofthe strain gauge 332 (ex, resistance) may change based fon the deflection. The processing unit 318 may accordingly receive foree signals fromthe stain gauge 382 via a flex circuit 33 (andior other electical or communication con- nection) and the printed circuit board 316, and may correlate the force signals to an amount of fore. “The howsing component 304 may be coupled to the main body 301 via adhesive 334. The deflection element 331 may be positioned within the adhesive 334 between the housing ‘component 304 and the main body 301. In some examples, the adhesive 334 may be flexible soch that the housing component 304 is cperale o move with respect tothe main body 301 under the exertion of force to deflee the deflection clement 331. In other examples the adhesive 334 may form ‘rigid seal and the housing component 304 may be flexible in order to deflect the deflection clement 331 under the exertion of foree FIG. 4 illustrates an example implementation ineluding a single electrode 435 formed of indium tin oxide of other material positioned on the printed circuit board 416. The single electrode 438 may form a capacitor withthe user's body part. Force exerted by the user’s body part on the US 10,285,645 B2 u housing component 404 may change the proximity between the user's body part and the electrode 435 thus changing the ‘capacitance ofa capacitor formed by the user's body and the ‘electrode 435, The processing unit 418 may receive force signals from such a expacitor indicating capacitive changes and conelate the capacitive changes 10 an amount of foree ‘exerted on the hovsing component 404 Tn some examples, the adhesive 434 andlor the housing ‘component 404 may be exible. This may allow the users body t0 move closer tothe electrode 435 under the exertion ‘of foree. The more movement that is possible between the user's body and the electtode 488 may allow for a greater variety of capacitance dilferences of a espacitor formed by the users body and the electrode 436, slowing for greater sensitivity in sensing fore. ‘Although the electrode 43S is shosen as positioned on the Printed circuit board 416, itis understood that this is an ‘example, In varios implementations, the electrode 435 may be positioned at different locations without departing from 2 the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the elee- trode 438 may be positioned on the health sensor 418 in some implementations. By way of another example, in Various implementations, the elecirde 438 may be posi tioned on the housing component 404 (such as a layer of indium tin oxide, nanostructures, nanomesh, nanowires, ‘conductive film, and so on deposited on the inner surface of the housing component 44 facing the alth sensor 415) oF ‘on the main body 40, FIG. illustrates an example implementation including a first electrode §36 positioned on the printed circuit board 516 and a second electrode $37 positioned on the housing ‘component S04 that may form a capacitor. An exerion of force on the housing component S04 may bring the first and second electrodes 536 and 897 closer together, changing the ‘capacitance of a capacitor formed hy the first and second ‘electrodes $46 and $37. The processing unit $18 may monitor force signals fom te fst andr Secand electrodes 536 and $37 and correlate the capacitance changes to an amount of force exerted on the helsing component 504, In some examples, the adhesive S34 andr the housing ‘component S04 may he flexible. This may allow the fist at fecond electrodes $36 and S37 to move closer together lunder the exertion of foree onthe housing component S04 ‘As compared with the example shown in FIG. 5, the ‘example depicted in FIG, 6 includes multiple electrodes 637 (afist set of electrodes 637) positioned on the printed circuit hoard 616 and multiple electrodes 638 (a second set of ‘electrodes 638) positioned on the housing component 604, Capacitors may be formed by pairs of electrodes of the first, set of elecizodes 697 und the second set of electrons 638, A force applied to the housing component 604 may bring ‘one or more electodes in the fist and second sets of ‘electrodes 637 and 638 closer together, and change the respective capacitances of those capacitors. The processing lit 618 may monitor and compare force signals from one ‘or more capacitors in order to correlate respective capac tance changes to amounts of force exerted at variows pate ticular lations on the housing component 604, “The adhesive 634 andlor the housing componeat 604 may bee Hlexible such that the elecirodes in the frst and second seis of electrodes 637 and 638 may’ be able to move with respect fo each other independently andlor relatively inde- pendently based on where force is exerted om the housing ‘component 604. This may enable the processing unit 618 10 more granolarly determine different amounts of force ‘exerted at diferent locaton on the housing component 604 12 FIG. 7 illustrates an example implementation including a Aexible housing component 704 with a stain gauge 739 disposed thereon. An exertion of forse on the flexible housing component 704 may cause the flexible hows component 704 1 flex, which may cause the strain gauge 739 to deflect. An electrical propery ofthe strain gauge 739 (ea, resistance) may change based on the deflection, As such, the processing unit 18 may accordingly receive force signals from the strain gauge 739 indicating flexing of the exible housing component 704 via a Nex circuit 740 (andior other eletrcal or communication connection) an the printed cieuit board 716. The processing unit 718 may correlate the received force signals to force amounts TIG. 8 shows a flow char illustrating an example method £800 for determining band tightness. This method 800 may be perfomied by one or more of the Wearable electronic devices of FIGS. 1A-7 ACB10, a force sensor may be monitored. The force sensor may be positioned berween a body of a wearable electronic ‘device and a housing component that contacts a user's ody part when the wearable electronic device is woen, At 820, one or more foee signals may be received from the foree sensor relating to foree exerted on the housing component. The force may be the force exerted on the housing component by the user's body part and moy be related to a band of the wearable electronic device causing the user's body part to exer the force based on tightness of the band. At 830, the tightness ofthe Band associated with the foree signal from the force sensor may be determined, Iigher mounts of exerted force indicated By the foree signal may correlate to a tighter band. Conversely, lower amounts of texerced forve indicated by the force signal may’ correlate to looser hand. Although the example method 800 is Mlusrated and ddscrihed as including particular operons performed in a particular ofder, its understood that this isan example. In various implementations, various orders of the sume, simi Jag, andor different operations may be performed without ‘depating fom the scope of the present disclosure, For example, in various implementations, the example schoo 800 may include the additional operations related band adjustment. By way of example, the example method 800 may include the additional operation of determi ‘whether the band tightness is within a tightness range. The tightness range may be a range of force values. In some ‘implementations of such an example, the example method 800 may include the additional operation of cavsing the band to be adjusted ifthe band tightness is not within the tightness range. In ome cases, the user may be notified prior ‘o adjustment of the band. In stich ease, the user may be able to override band adjustment in response to sueh a notification, In other implementations, the example method 800 may include the additonal operation of notifying the user that the band aceds ajstment f the band tightness i aot within the ‘ightness range. In sueh implementations, the user may be prompted 10 adjust the band, IG. 9 shows a flow char illustrating an example method 900 for determining health information using a health sensor fd force sensor, This method 900 may be performed by ‘ne oF more of the wearable electronic devices of FIGS. 1A7. AL 910, a measurement may be received from a health sensor. For example, the health sensor ay be a PPG sensor. AC 920, a force signal may be received from a housing component force sensor, ‘The housing component force US 10,285,645 B2 13 sensor may be positioned between a body of a wearable ‘electronic deviee and a hous user's body part. The fore ‘on the housing component by the user ‘A¢920, beat informa based on the force signal and the measurement. For ‘example, the force may be used to determine the tightness of f band of the wearable device, which may be used in ‘combination with measurements of a PPG sensor to deter- mine 2 blood perfusion forthe user ‘Although the example method 900 is sllstrated. and described as including particular operations performed in 2 particular onde, i is understood tht this isan example. In ‘arious implementations, various orders of the same, simi- Tae, andor different operations may be performed without ‘departing from the scope ofthe present diselosure or example, 930 describes the health information as boeing determined based on the force signal and the mea surement. However, in some implementations, the health information may be determined based on the force signal or 2 the measurement without Being based on both, Further, the health information may also be based on data from one or more other sensors. By way of another example, the force may be used 10 determine whether or not the health information is accurate In some implementations, the health information may be accurate if he tightness of band is within tightness range. Insuch an example the force may be used to determine the lightness of the band is within the tightness range. TF the lightness ofthe band is not within the tightness range, the health information may be discarded as inaccurate andlor may be modified based on the force FIG. 10 shows a Mow chart illusinting aa example pei 100 So nahueina |e eee Nore estonia ‘This method 1000 may be performed by one or more ofthe ‘wearable electronic devices of FIGS, 18-7. AC 1010, first free signal may be received from a cover lass force sensor. The first force signal may indicate a force ‘exerted on the eoverglas (or other input device) by a user. ‘The cover glass may be a component of a display, a touch lisplay, andlor other assembly ‘At 1020, a second force signal may be received from a housing component force sensor: The housing component force sensor may be positioned between a body of a wear- able electronic deviee and a housing component that con Taets a user's body pat. The housing component may be positioned on an opposite side of the Wweumble electronic ‘vice from the cover glass. The force signal may indicate force exerted on the housing component by the user's body ‘At 1030, 2 force exerted on the cover glass may be deiersined using the first foree signal. For example, & lookup table of first fore signal values and foree values may he consulted based on the first force signal. A force value ‘corresponding to the value of the fst force signal may be selected to detemnine the force exerted on the cover glass. A 1040, «force exerted on the housing component may be determined using the second force signal. For example, a Tookup table of second force signal values and foree values may’Be consulted based on the second foree signal A Force ‘alte corresponding tothe value of the second force signal may be selected to determine the force exerted on the housing component. At 1080, the determined force on the cover glass may be ‘adjusted using the second force signal, For example, the Second force signal may be subtracted from the determined force on the cover glass. This may allow a determined free 4 ‘on the cover glass to he obtained that i fre of insluence Irom forees exerted oa the housing component. ‘Although the example method 1000 is illustrated and eseribed as including particular operations performed in a particular order, it s understood that this isan example. In Various implementations, various orders of the same, simi- Jar, andor diferent operations may be performed without departing fom the scope of the present disclosure. For example, 1080 describes the determined fore on the cover glis being adjusted using the second force signal However, in various implementations, the determined foree fn the housing component may be adjusted using the fist Tree signal instead of andior in addition to adjusting the determined force onthe cover glass using the second force signal FIG. 11 shows a block diagram illustrating example components that may be uilized in the wearable electronic device 100 of FIG. 1A and example functional relationships of those components. The wearable elecironic device 100 ray include one or more processing units HSI, force sensors 1182 (sich as those discussed above), storage media 1153 (such as a magnetic storage medium. an optical storage ‘medium, a magneto-optical storage medium, a read only riemory, 3 random access memory, an erasable progei- ‘able memory, and soon), one or more other sensors 11S (Guch a8 one oF more health sensors, accelerometers, y= Scopes, light sensors, cameras, proximity sensors, touch sensors, and so.on), communication component 1158, andlor other components. The processing unit 1181 may execute insructons stored in the storage media 1183 in order 19 perfom various operations discussed above. For example, the processing unit 151 may receive health data from a health Sensor 1184 and may store such health data inthe storage media 1154, By way of another example, the processing unit HS may receive force signals from the foe seasor(s) 152 and may ulize lockup tables stored in the storage media 1184 to correlate force signals to force ‘amounts in order to deteratine amouats of applied forces, to ‘compare foree amounts to threshold force values, t com Tate force amounts and/or threshold force values to tight- nesses of a band, and so on. The processing unit 181 may store data rogarding sich force signals, determined force amounts, detemnined dghtnesses, and s0 on in the storage ‘cia 1154. In examples where the processing unit 11SL ‘determines the tightness of« band, the processing unit ISL ‘may compare the determined tightness of the band to lightness ranges sored in the Monge media 1184 wo deer ine whether or not the determined tightness i within sch ‘rang. “The wearsble electronic device 10 may communicate with one oF miore other eleettonic devices, such as the cleetronie deviee 1150, via the communication component 1158 over one or more wired andlor wireless communication connections. Similar ta the wearable electronic device 100, the electronic device 1180 may include one or more com ‘minication components 1156, processing units 1157, stor- aye media 1158, andor olher components. In various examples the wearable electronic device 100 may transmit data andlor notifications regarding data to the electronic ‘device 1180 via the communication components 1158 and 1186, suchas the above discussed heath data, force signal, ‘determined free amounts, determined band tightnesses, and so on. The processing unit 1187 may store such data or ratification in the storage media 1158, Altematively andr additionally, in some examples, the wearahle elesitonie device 100 and the electronic device 1180 may be eonfigured in a cooperative computing strange US 10,285,645 B2 15, ment. As suc, the electronic device 1150 may utilize the processing unit 1187 to process the data in one or more of the various ways the processing unit LISI is deseribed processing stich data above, For example, the processing Unit 1187 may process received health data to determines health information for a user of the wearable electronic device 100. By way of another example, the storage media 1IS8 may store one or more lockup tables described above As such, the processing unit 1187 may receive force signals ‘and utilize the lookup tables t correlate force sina to foree amounts in order to determine amounts of applied foees, to compare force amounts to threshold force values, to correlate force amounts and/or threshold force values to tightnesses ofa band, and so on. The processing unit 1187 may’store the results of such determinations ia the storage redtia 188, transmit such resuls fo the Wearable eleetonie device 100, and/or perlorm various ether operations Although the preset disclosure is described as postion- ing force sensors between a housing component and a main body, it is understood that these are examples. In various 2 implementatioas,foree sensors may’be positioned anywhere ‘on. weartble electronic device that contacts a user's body part when the wearable eleetronie device is worn without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For ‘example, a force sensor may be positioned of an ianer surface of a band that contacts a user's body part when the electronic device is wor. By way of another example, a force seasor may be positioned on an outer surface of the housing componeat that contats user's body paet when the Wearable electronic device i wom, By way of still another ‘example, a force sensor may be positioned on a portion of the main body that contacts a user's body part whea the Wearable electronic deve is worn Further although the present disclosure is described inthe ‘context ofa wearable electronic device 100 it is understood that this is an example. The force sensors andor other techniques discussed herein may be used with other devices (electrnie, non-cleetonic, non-wearsble, portable, and 80 ‘on, such as the back of smartphone, supports tached to the bottom of a laptop computer, andioe any other device without departing from the seope of the present disclosure ‘As described above and illustrated inthe accompanying figures, a wearable electronic deviee may include a body, housing component (such as a plate, a curved plate or other surface component) anda band or other attachment mecha nism operable to attach the body to the body part ofa user. A fore sensor may be positioned between the housing ‘component and the body such that it produces free signals based on a force exeried between the user's body part and the housing component. A processing unit may receive the foe signals snd process them to perfoem varius ations For example, the processing unit may process the force signals to determine a tightness of the band, such as for automatic hand adjustment. By way’of another example, the Processing unit may use the force signals deteraine health {information forthe wer, such asin combination with mea- surements of the body part obtained via 2 health seusor include in the body. By way of still another example, the boxy may inelode an input mechanism (uch as a touch surface including a cover glass) that interprets the force of 60 ‘2 user's touch at input and the processing unit may use the foce signals and signals from te input mechanism to adjust

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