Seamlessly Embedded Heart Rate Monitor

• US 20100113950A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rahul, Pareet, Lin, Gloria, Nakajima, Taido, Hodge, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,615,290 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0468 Built-in electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0245 by using sensing means generating electric signals, i.e. ECG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/316 Modalities, i.e. specific diagnostic methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/332 Portable devices specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/339 Displays specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6898 Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers

Abstract

This is directed to an electronic device having an integrated sensor for detecting a user'"'"'s cardiac activity and cardiac electrical signals. The electronic device can include a heart sensor having several leads for detecting a user'"'"'s cardiac signals. The leads can be coupled to interior surfaces of the electronic device housing to hide the sensor from view, such that electrical signals generated by the user can be transmitted from the user'"'"'s skin through the electronic device housing to the leads. In some embodiments, the leads can be coupled to pads placed on the exterior of the housing. The pads and housing can be finished to ensure that the pads are not visibly or haptically distinguishable on the device, thus improving the aesthetic qualities of the device. Using the detected signals, the electronic device can identify or authenticate the user and perform an operation based on the identity of the user. In some embodiments, the electronic device can determine the user'"'"'s mood from the cardiac signals and provide data related to the user'"'"'s mood.

Claims

1. An electronic device operative to detect a user'"'"'s cardiac signal, comprising:

a housing;

a bezel coupled to the housing to form an enclosure for the electronic device;

a heart sensor operative to detect the user'"'"'s cardiac signal, the heart sensor comprising at least one lead placed in contact with an interior surface of at least one of the bezel and the housing; and

a processor operative to receive and process the detected cardiac electrical signal.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the bezel comprises a first section and a second section, the first and second sections located on opposite sides of the electronic device; and

the heart sensor comprising a first and second lead, the first lead coupled to the first section and the second lead coupled to the second section.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the first section is electrically isolated from the second portion.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the bezel is constructed from a material having a first conductivity; and

the at least one lead is constructed from a material having a second conductivity, the second conductivity being substantially higher than the first conductivity.

5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the bezel is constructed from one of aluminum and steel, and wherein the at least one lead is constructed from a silver based compound.

6. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the conductivity of the first material is such that the detected cardiac electrical signal is not transmitted over a distance substantially larger than the thickness of the bezel.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the heart sensor comprises a first lead and a second lead placed in contact with the bezel, the first and second leads positioned apart at distances substantially larger than the thickness of the bezel.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein:

the bezel further comprises a pocket underneath the outer surface of the bezel; and

the at least one lead is placed within the pocket.

9. A bezel for use in an electronic device operative to detect a user'"'"'s cardiac signal, the bezel operative to be coupled to a housing to form an electronic device enclosure, the bezel comprising:

an outer surface operative to be contacted by the user; and

a pad coupled to a heart sensor lead, the pad embedded in the outer surface, wherein the pad and outer surface are visibly indistinguishable to the user.

10. The bezel of claim 9, wherein the bezel is constructed from a conductive material.

11. The bezel of claim 10, further comprising:

a second pad coupled to a second heart sensor lead, the second pad embedded in the outer surface of the bezel, wherein the conductivity of the bezel is insufficient to transmit a cardiac electrical signal detected by the pad to the second pad.

12. The bezel of claim 9, wherein:

a first finishing process is applied to the bezel; and

a second finishing process, different from the first finishing process, is applied to the pad to render the outer surfaces of the bezel and pad visibly indistinguishable.

13. The bezel of claim 9, further comprising an isolating layer placed between the bezel and the pad, such that a cardiac signal detected by pad is not transmitted to the bezel.

14. The bezel of claim 9, wherein the bezel is constructed from one of steel and aluminum.

15. The bezel of claim 9, wherein the pad is constructed from a silver based compound.

16. An electronic device operative to detect a user'"'"'s cardiac electrical signals, comprising:

a display;

a housing;

a bezel operative to retain the display and couple to the housing;

a sensor operative to process the user'"'"'s cardiac electrical signals;

a first lead connected to the sensor, the first lead coupled to an interior surface of the bezel; and

a second lead connected to the sensor, the second lead coupled to an interior surface of the housing, wherein the first and second leads are operative to detect the user'"'"'s cardiac electrical signals from contacts of the bezel and housing with the user'"'"'s skin

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the first and second leads are electrically isolated such that the user'"'"'s cardiac electrical signal is not propagated between the first and second leads through the bezel and housing.

18. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the first lead further comprises a pad embedded underneath the outer surface of the bezel.

19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the pad is constructed from a silver based compound, and the bezel is constructed from at least one of aluminum and steel.

20. A method for authenticating a user, comprising:

detecting a user'"'"'s cardiac signal from contacts between the user and at least one lead, the at least one lead placed in contact with an inner surface of at least one of a bezel and housing of an electronic device;

processing the detected cardiac signal to extract at least one unique characteristic of the cardiac signal;

comparing the at least one unique characteristic with a library of characteristics associated with authorized users;

determining that the at least one unique characteristic matches a characteristic in the library of characteristics; and

providing access to a restricted electronic device operation in response to determining.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein providing further comprises providing access to restricted data.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein providing further comprises providing access to at least one restricted application.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the at least one unique characteristic further comprises at least one of a duration, peak height, and ratio of peak heights.