ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO SENSE BIO-SIGNALS

Abstract

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can be configured to include a plurality of bio-sensing areas, where the bio-sensing areas are located in an area of the electronic device where a user typically comes into contact with the electronic device and a bio-signals engine, where the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals detected by the bio-sensing areas. These bio-sensing areas can be processed for color, finish and material so as to blend with the electronic device enclosure thereby not degrading the visual appeal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates in general to the field of electronic devices, and more particularly, to a device to sense bio-signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying FIGURES, embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the FIGURES of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a block diagram view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a block diagram view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a block diagram view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a block diagram view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a block diagram view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a block diagram view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a block diagram view of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of a portion of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of a portion of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9C is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of a portion of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9D is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of a portion of an embodiment of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an example computing system that is arranged in a point-to-point configuration in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram associated with an example system on chip (SOC) of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example processor core, in accordance with an embodiment.

The FIGURES of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, as their dimensions can be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example Embodiments

Turning to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an electronic device 100 that includes one or more bio-sensing areas. Electronic device 100 can include a first housing 102 and a second housing 104. First housing 102 can include one or more bio-sensing areas 106a and 106b, a keyboard 108, a touchpad 110, and a bio-signals processing engine 126. Each bio-sensing area 106a and 106b may be a sensing plate, or area than can detect contact and collect bio signals or measurements from a user when in contact with the skin of the user. The collected bio-signals or measurements can be communicated to bio-signals processing engine 126 for analysis.

In an example, when a user is using electronic device 100, a portion of one or both of the user's palms may rest on bio-sensing areas 106a and 106b. The user's electrocardiogram (ECG) can be measured through bio-sensing areas 106a and 106b. ECG (sometimes abbreviated as EKG) is a measurement of the electrical activity of the heart by detecting the electrical changes on the skin during a heartbeat. For a 1-Lead ECG measurement, electrodes need to be attached to or in contact with two extremities of the body on either side of the heart. Bio-sensing areas 106a and 106b on electronic device 100 can act as two dry electrodes for a 1-Lead ECG measurement. In other examples, other types of bio signals like EDA, GSR, bio-impedance, etc. may be collected and analyzed.

For example, bio-sensing areas 106a and 106b can be configured to pass a small current (e.g., on the order of 1-10 μA) between themselves and measure the voltage. The current and voltage data can be communicated to bio-signals engine 126 where a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) can be performed. A BIA is a commonly used method for estimating body composition, and in particular body fat. For example, the impedance of cellular tissue can be modeled as a resistor (representing the extracellular path) in parallel with a resistor and capacitor in series (representing the intracellular path). This results in a change in impedance versus the frequency used in the measurement. In some examples, the bio-sensing area 106a and 106b can be used to monitor the health of a user, may be used as identification of a user, such as with or in place of a passcode, may be used for gaming purposes, or almost any other application or process where bio-sensing may be required or used to enhance a user's experience of an electronic device.

For purposes of illustrating certain example features of an electronic device to sense bio-signals, the following foundational information may be viewed as a basis from which the present disclosure may be properly explained. A typical electronic device form factor has a passive metallic or plastic enclosure body. During use of a typical electronic device, one or more areas of the electronic device are often in contact with the skin of a user. While any portion of the surface form factor of the electronic device can be converted into an active sensing element by embedding a sensing electrode material (e.g., steel) with a standard process like an inset mold, often such a design degrades the aesthetic appeal of the device because the color, finish, and material of the sensing surface is different than the surface form factor of the electronic device. In an example, electronic device 100 in FIG. 1 can be configured to enable multiple bio-sensing area (e.g., bio-sensing area 106a and 106b) as an integral part of the form-factor.

Integration of bio-sensing area to form factors can be achieved without degrading the visual appeal of the form factor and without increasing the thickness of the cover itself. In an example, thin sections of material suitable for dry electrode applications, such as stainless steel or German silver, can be fixed in pockets created on the form factor. The pockets may be created along the surface topology of the form factor. The depth of these pockets may be uniform or can be varied to accommodate a variety of applications. Many such pockets may be created to house multiple electrodes to maximize skin contact for bio-sensing and conductive plates may be placed on the form factor to maximize skin contact as needed by the bio-sensing areas. To ensure electrical isolation between the bio-sensing areas, the form factor can include electrically non-conductive materials or may be treated with processes such as adonization before the bio-sensing areas are positioned. The material selection for the bio-sensing electrodes can be such that the effective thickness, weight, and strength of the form factor with the bio-sensing areas is not compromised as compared to a traditional passive cover. The design of the bio-sensing areas may be such that the bio-sensing areas blend with the surface of the form factor, the opportunity of skin contact is increased or maximized, and electrical insulation needed between bio-sensing areas is maintained. Bio-sensing areas 106a and 106b could be color matched to the rest of the cover using hard coatings created using processes like PVD. The rest of the cover could be made of plastic, aluminum, magnesium, etc. The cover can also be treated with a process such as anodization or paint finish which may also allow for or enhance the isolation between bio-sensing areas 106a and 106b.

Electronic device can be configured to provide sensing capability (e.g., bio-sensing) integrated on the form-factor with no impact or relatively small impact to the thickness and weight of the form-factor. In an example, one or more bio-sensing areas can be dry electrodes fixed in pockets integrated into the form factor in regions where the user's palm typically rests and can be configured to allow for a large skin contact area. The large skin contact area allows for greater probability of opportunistic sensing in addition to intentional sensing. In intentional sensing, the user can interact with the device with the specific intent of activating bio-sensing. In opportunistic sensing, these bio-measurements are made automatically as the user interacts with the device naturally. For example, with proper placing of the bio-sensing areas, bio-measurements can be made on the electronic device even as the user is typing on the keyboard. This allows for long term wellness monitoring solutions. In addition, as the bio-sensing areas can be blended with the color, finish and material of the form-factor and can have a pleasing visual appeal.

In an example implementation, electronic device 100 may include software modules (e.g., bio-signals engine 126) to achieve, or to foster, operations as outlined herein. These modules may be suitably combined in any appropriate manner, which may be based on particular configuration and/or provisioning needs. In some embodiments, such operations may be carried out by hardware, implemented externally to these elements, or included in some other network device to achieve the intended functionality. Furthermore, the modules can be implemented as software, hardware, firmware, or any suitable combination thereof. These elements may also include software (or reciprocating software) that can coordinate with other network elements in order to achieve the operations, as outlined herein.

Additionally, electronic device 100 may include a processor that can execute software or an algorithm to perform activities as discussed herein. A processor can execute any type of instructions associated with the data to achieve the operations detailed herein. In one example, the processors could transform an element or an article (e.g., data) from one state or thing to another state or thing. In another example, the activities outlined herein may be implemented with fixed logic or programmable logic (e.g., software/computer instructions executed by a processor) and the elements identified herein could be some type of a programmable processor, programmable digital logic (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an EPROM, an EEPROM) or an ASIC that includes digital logic, software, code, electronic instructions, or any suitable combination thereof. Any of the potential processing elements, modules, and machines described herein should be construed as being encompassed within the broad term ‘processor.’

Turning to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a first housing 102a that includes bio-sensing areas 106c and 106d. As illustrated in FIG. 2, bio-sensing areas 106c and 106d are positioned in first housing 102a where the palm of a user may typically rest. With this design a hairline gap may be visible around the areas and a bezel may be formed around bio-sensing areas 106c and 106d. In an embodiment, the bezel may be used to provide for an aesthetic pleasing surface. Bio-sensing areas 106c and 106d can collect bio-data from a user and communicate the bio-data to bio-signals engine 126. Bio-signals engine 126 can analyze the bio-data and provide feedback to a user or another device such as a network server, cloud services, network device, hospital monitoring device, etc.

Turning to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a first housing 102b that includes bio-sensing areas 106e and 106f. As illustrated in FIG. 3, bio-sensing areas 106e and 106f are positioned in first housing 102b where the palm of a user may typically rest. Bio-sensing areas 106e and 106f can be positioned such that the entire palm rest area or most of the palm rest area can capture bio-signals from the user. In an example bio-sensing areas 106e and 106f can extend and wrap around first housing 102b (e.g., in a shape that has a 3D profile). In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, no bezel is visual or is only slightly visual while at the same time, the available area for making contact is enhanced thereby increasing the opportunity for bio-sensing. Bio-sensing areas 106e and 106f can collect bio signals from a user and communicate the bio signals to bio-signals engine 126. Bio-signals engine 126 can analyze the bio signals and provide feedback to a user or another device such as a network server, cloud services, network device, hospital monitoring device, etc.

Turning to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a first housing 102c that houses bio-sensing areas 106g and 106h. As illustrated in FIG. 4, bio-sensing areas 106g and 106h can allow for increased contact area along the edges and more sensing opportunity for long term opportunistic monitoring. In addition, any gaps visible around each bio-sensing areas 106g and 106h may be located such that the gap is moved away from the palm rest region for improved aesthetics. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each bio-sensing area 106g and 106h does not create a bezel or the bezel is only slightly visible. Bio-sensing areas 106g and 106h can collect bio signals from a user and communicate the bio signals to bio-signals engine 126. Bio-signals engine 126 can analyze the bio-data and provide feedback to a user or another device such as a network server, cloud services, network device, hospital monitoring device, etc.

Turning to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 illustrates one example of first housing 102d that includes pockets 128a and 128b. As illustrated in FIG. 5 pockets 128a and 128b can house or accommodate removable bio-sensing pads 130a and 130b respectively. Bio-sensing pads 130a and 130b can be removably inserted into bio-sensing area pockets 128a and 128b. In an embodiment, bio-sensing pads 130a and 130b are replaceable and can be removed and replaced or even changed with different bio-sensing pads that can detected different bio-signals. In an example, bio-sensing pads 130a and 130b can be removed and replaced by a user during operation of first housing 102d and electronic device 100. Bio-sensing pads 130a and 130b can collect bio signals from a user and communicate the bio signals to bio-signals engine 126. Bio-signals engine 126 can analyze the bio-data and provide feedback to a user or another device such as a network server, cloud services, network device, hospital monitoring device, etc.

Turning to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 illustrates one example of first housing 102 that include bio-sensing area 106. In an example, bio-sensing area 106 can be coupled to an outside surface 136 of first housing 102 using a bonding agent 134. A typical thickness of a form factor surface for an electronic device made of aluminum is about 0.8 mm. In an example, a thickness of bio-sensing area 106 may be about 250 microns to about 400 microns thick and a thickness 138 of bio-sensing area 106, bonding agent 134, and outside surface 136 can be less than about 1 mm.

Turning to FIGS. 7A and 7B, FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates one example of a hand held electronic device 116. Hand held electronic device 116 can include a display 120, bio-signals engine 126, and bio-sensing areas 132a-132d. Hand held electronic device 116 can include a mobile device, a tablet device (e.g., i-Pad™), Phablet™, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, an audio system, a movie player of any type, game controller, a handheld game console, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, when a user holds hand held electronic device 116 in a portrait configuration, a portion of the user's hand 122, such as the thumbs, can naturally rest on bio-sensing areas 132a and 132b. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, when a user holds hand held electronic device 116 in a landscape configuration, a portion of the user's hand 122, such as the thumbs, can naturally rest on bio-sensing areas 132c and 132d. Bio-sensing areas 132a-132d can collect bio signals from a user and communicate the bio signals to bio-signals engine 126. Bio-signals engine 126 can analyze the bio signals and provide feedback to a user or another device such as a network server, cloud services, network device, hospital monitoring device, etc.

In one or more embodiments, display 120 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) display screen, a light-emitting diode (LED) display screen, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display screen, a plasma display screen, or any other suitable display screen system. Display may be a touchscreen that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. In another embodiment, hand held electronic device 116 may include a camera, a microphone, speakers, etc.

Turning to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 illustrates one example of hand held electronic device 116. In an example, a backside of hand held electronic device 116 can include bio-sensing areas 118a-118d. In an example, when a user is holding hand held electronic device 116 in a portrait configuration, the user's fingers may naturally rest or come into contact with bio-sensing areas 118a and 118b. Also, when a user is holding hand held electronic device 116 in a landscape configuration, the user's fingers may naturally rest or come into contact with bio-sensing areas 118c and 118d. The location of bio-sensing areas 118a-118d, as illustrated in FIG. 8, allows hand held electronic device 116 to collect bio signals from a user when hand held electronic device 116 is held in either a portrait configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 7A or in a landscape configuration as illustrated in FIG. 7B. Bio-sensing areas 118a-118d can collect bio signals from a user and communicate the bio signals to bio-signals engine 126. Bio-signals engine 126 can analyze the bio-data from the bio-signals and provide feedback to a user or another device such as a network server, cloud services, network device, hospital monitoring device, etc.

Turning to FIGS. 9A-9D, FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate examples of an electronic device 200 that includes bio-sensing areas. In an example, bio-sensing areas 206a-206h may be a part of the cover itself and not a separate component. For example, a thin film coating of a hard material can be created on the form factor of electronic device 200 by using physical vapor deposition or a similar process. Using such a process, multiple sensing surfaces can be created, even those with complex patterns. For example, FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate only a portion of the patterns that may be created. In addition to bio-sensing areas 206 being located in or around the palm rest areas, additional sensing surfaces can be created on each side. Further, the designs can allow for enhanced visual and personalization appeal with new aesthetically pleasing patterns that also serve as bio-sensing area.

Turning to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 illustrates a computing system 1000 that is arranged in a point-to-point (PtP) configuration according to an embodiment. In particular, FIG. 10 shows a system where processors, memory, and input/output devices are interconnected by a number of point-to-point interfaces. Generally, one or more of the network elements of electronic device 100 may be configured in the same or similar manner as computing system 1000.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, system 1000 may include several processors, of which only two, processors 1070 and 1080, are shown for clarity. While two processors 1070 and 1080 are shown, it is to be understood that an embodiment of system 1000 may also include only one such processor. Processors 1070 and 1080 may each include a set of cores (i.e., processor cores 1074A and 1074B and processor cores 1084A and 1084B) to execute multiple threads of a program. Each processor 1070, 1080 may include at least one shared cache 1071, 1081. Shared caches 1071, 1081 may store data (e.g., instructions) that are utilized by one or more components of processors 1070, 1080, such as processor cores 1074 and 1084.

Processors 1070 and 1080 may also each include integrated memory controller logic (MC) 1072 and 1082 to communicate with memory elements 1032 and 1034. Memory elements 1032 and/or 1034 may store various data used by processors 1070 and 1080. In alternative embodiments, memory controller logic 1072 and 1082 may be discrete logic separate from processors 1070 and 1080.

Processors 1070 and 1080 may be any type of processor, and may exchange data via a point-to-point (PtP) interface 1050 using point-to-point interface circuits 1078 and 1088, respectively. Processors 1070 and 1080 may each exchange data with a control logic 1090 via individual point-to-point interfaces 1052 and 1054 using point-to-point interface circuits 1076, 1086, 1094, and 1098. Control logic 1090 may also exchange data with a high-performance graphics circuit 1038 via a high-performance graphics interface 1039, using an interface circuit 1092, which could be a PtP interface circuit. In alternative embodiments, any or all of the PtP links illustrated in FIG. 10 could be implemented as a multi-drop bus rather than a PtP link.

Control logic 1090 may be in communication with a bus 1020 via an interface circuit 1096. Bus 1020 may have one or more devices that communicate over it, such as a bus bridge 1018 and I/O devices 1016. Via a bus 1010, bus bridge 1018 may be in communication with other devices such as a keyboard/mouse 1012 (or other input devices such as a touch screen, trackball, etc.), communication devices 1026 (such as modems, network interface devices, or other types of communication devices that may communicate through a computer network 1060), audio I/O devices 1014, and/or a data storage device 1028. Data storage device 1028 may store code 1030, which may be executed by processors 1070 and/or 1080. In alternative embodiments, any portions of the bus architectures could be implemented with one or more PtP links.

The computer system depicted in FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a computing system that may be utilized to implement various embodiments discussed herein. It will be appreciated that various components of the system depicted in FIG. 10 may be combined in a system-on-a-chip (SoC) architecture or in any other suitable configuration. For example, embodiments disclosed herein can be incorporated into systems including mobile devices such as smart cellular telephones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, portable gaming devices, etc. It will be appreciated that these mobile devices may be provided with SoC architectures in at least some embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram associated with an example ecosystem SOC 1100 of the present disclosure. At least one example implementation of the present disclosure can include the bio-sensing features discussed herein. For example, the architecture can be part of any type of tablet, smartphone (inclusive of Android™ phones, iPhones™, iPad™ Google Nexus™, Microsoft Surface™, personal computer, server, video processing components, laptop computer (inclusive of any type of notebook), Ultrabook™ system, any type of touch-enabled input device, etc.

In this example of FIG. 11, ecosystem SOC 1100 may include multiple cores 1106-1107, an L2 cache control 1108, a bus interface unit 1109, an L2 cache 1110, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 1115, an interconnect 1102, a video codec 1120, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) I/F 1125, which may be associated with mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)/high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) links that couple to an LCD.

SOC 1100 may also include a subscriber identity module (SIM) I/F 1130, a boot read-only memory (ROM) 1135, a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) controller 1140, a flash controller 1145, a serial peripheral interface (SPI) master 1150, a suitable power control 1155, a dynamic RAM (DRAM) 1160, and flash 1165. In addition, one or more embodiments include one or more communication capabilities, interfaces, and features such as instances of Bluetooth™ 1170, a 3G modem 1175, a global positioning system (GPS) 1180, and an 802.11 Wi-Fi 1185.

In operation, the example of FIG. 11 can offer processing capabilities, along with relatively low power consumption to enable computing of various types (e.g., mobile computing, high-end digital home, servers, wireless infrastructure, etc.). In addition, such an architecture can enable any number of software applications (e.g., Android™, Adobe™ Flash™ Player, Java Platform Standard Edition (Java SE), JavaFX, Linux, Microsoft Windows Embedded, Symbian and Ubuntu, etc.). In at least one embodiment, the core processor may implement an out-of-order superscalar pipeline with a coupled low-latency level-2 cache.

Turning to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 illustrates a processor core 1200 according to an embodiment. Processor core 12 may be the core for any type of processor, such as a micro-processor, an embedded processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processor, or other device to execute code. Although only one processor core 1200 is illustrated in FIG. 12, a processor may alternatively include more than one of the processor core 1200 illustrated in FIG. 12. For example, processor core 1200 represents an embodiment of processors cores 1074a, 1074b, 1084a, and 1084b shown and described with reference to processors 1070 and 1080 of FIG. 10. Processor core 1200 may be a single-threaded core or, for at least one embodiment, processor core 1200 may be multithreaded in that it may include more than one hardware thread context (or “logical processor”) per core.

FIG. 12 also illustrates a memory 1202 coupled to processor core 1200 in accordance with an embodiment. Memory 1202 may be any of a wide variety of memories (including various layers of memory hierarchy) as are known or otherwise available to those of skill in the art. Memory 1202 may include code 1204, which may be one or more instructions, to be executed by processor core 1200. Processor core 1200 can follow a program sequence of instructions indicated by code 1204. Each instruction enters a front-end logic 1206 and is processed by one or more decoders 1208. The decoder may generate, as its output, a micro operation such as a fixed width micro operation in a predefined format, or may generate other instructions, microinstructions, or control signals that reflect the original code instruction. Front-end logic 1206 also includes register renaming logic 1210 and scheduling logic 1212, which generally allocate resources and queue the operation corresponding to the instruction for execution.

Processor core 1200 can also include execution logic 1214 having a set of execution units 1216-1 through 1216-N. Some embodiments may include a number of execution units dedicated to specific functions or sets of functions. Other embodiments may include only one execution unit or one execution unit that can perform a particular function. Execution logic 1214 performs the operations specified by code instructions.

After completion of execution of the operations specified by the code instructions, back-end logic 1218 can retire the instructions of code 1204. In one embodiment, processor core 1200 allows out of order execution but requires in order retirement of instructions. Retirement logic 1220 may take a variety of known forms (e.g., re-order buffers or the like). In this manner, processor core 1200 is transformed during execution of code 1204, at least in terms of the output generated by the decoder, hardware registers and tables utilized by register renaming logic 1210, and any registers (not shown) modified by execution logic 1214.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 12, a processor may include other elements on a chip with processor core 1200, at least some of which were shown and described herein with reference to FIG. 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a processor may include memory control logic along with processor core 1200. The processor may include I/O control logic and/or may include I/O control logic integrated with memory control logic.

Note that with the examples provided herein, interaction may be described in terms of two, three, or more network elements. However, this has been done for purposes of clarity and example only. In certain cases, it may be easier to describe one or more of the functionalities of a given set of flows by only referencing a limited number of network elements. It should be appreciated that the teachings are readily scalable and can accommodate a large number of components, as well as more complicated/sophisticated arrangements and configurations. Accordingly, the examples provided should not limit the scope or inhibit the broad teachings of electronic device 100 as potentially applied to a myriad of other architectures.

It is also important to note that the operations in the diagrams illustrate only some of the possible correlating scenarios and patterns that may be executed by, or within, electronic device 100. Some of these operations may be deleted or removed where appropriate, or these operations may be modified or changed considerably without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, a number of these operations have been described as being executed concurrently with, or in parallel to, one or more additional operations. However, the timing of these operations may be altered considerably. The preceding operational flows have been offered for purposes of example and discussion. Substantial flexibility is provided by electronic device 100 in that any suitable arrangements, chronologies, configurations, and timing mechanisms may be provided without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to particular arrangements and configurations, these example configurations and arrangements may be changed significantly without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, certain components may be combined, separated, eliminated, or added based on particular needs and implementations. Additionally, although the present disclosure has been illustrated with reference to particular elements and operations that facilitate the communication process, these elements and operations may be replaced by any suitable architecture, protocols, and/or processes that achieve the intended functionality of the present disclosure.

It is imperative to note that all of the specifications, dimensions, and relationships outlined herein (e.g., height, width, length, materials, etc.) have only been offered for purposes of example and teaching only. Each of these data may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, or the scope of the appended claims. The specifications apply only to one non-limiting example and, accordingly, they should be construed as such. In the foregoing description, example embodiments have been described. Various modifications and changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications may be ascertained to one skilled in the art and it is intended that the present disclosure encompass all such changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications as falling within the scope of the appended claims. In order to assist the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and, additionally, any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, Applicant wishes to note that the Applicant: (a) does not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph six (6) of 35 U.S.C. section 112 as it exists on the date of the filing hereof unless the words “means for” or “step for” are specifically used in the particular claims; and (b) does not intend, by any statement in the specification, to limit this disclosure in any way that is not otherwise reflected in the appended claims.

OTHER NOTES AND EXAMPLES

Example A1 is an electronic device including a plurality of bio-sensing areas, where the bio-sensing areas are located in one or more areas of the electronic device where a user typically comes into contact with the electronic device and a bio-signals engine, where the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals detected by the bio-sensing areas.

In Example A2, the subject matter of Example A1 can optionally include where the electronic device includes a keyboard portion and the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located on the keyboard portion of the electronic device.

In Example A3, the subject matter of any one of Examples A1-A2 can optionally include where the plurality of bio-sensing areas located in an area where a user typically rests their palms.

In Example A4, the subject matter of any one of Examples A1-A3 can optionally include where the electronic device is a handheld device and the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically holds the handheld device.

In Example A5, the subject matter of any one of Examples A1-A4 can optionally include where the plurality of bio-sensing areas are blended with the form-factor of the electronic device.

In Example A6, the subject matter of any one of Examples A1-A5 can optionally include where each of the plurality of bio-sensing areas are removably contained in a pocket on the electronic device.

In Example A7, the subject matter of any one of Example A1-A6 can optionally include where the bio-sensing areas have a thickness of about 250 microns to about 400 microns thick.

In Example AA1, an electronic device can include a first housing and a second housing, where the first housing includes a display and the second housing includes a keyboard, a plurality of bio-sensing areas, where the bio-sensing areas are located in an area of the electronic device where a user typically comes into contact with the electronic device, and a bio-signals engine, where the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals detected by the bio-sensing areas.

In Example, AA2, the subject matter of Example AA1 can optionally include where the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically rests their palms.

In Example AA3, the subject matter of any one of Examples AA1-AA2 can optionally include where the plurality of bio-sensing areas are blended with the form-factor of the electronic device.

In Example AA4, the subject matter of any one of Examples AA1-AA3 can optionally include where each of the plurality of bio-sensing areas are removably contained in a pocket on the form-factor of the electronic device.

In Example AA5, the subject matter of any one of Examples AA1-AA4 can optionally include where the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals and perform a bioelectrical impedance analysis.

In Example AA6, the subject matter of any one of Examples AA1-AA5 can optionally include where the electronic device is a laptop computer.

Example M1 is a method including detecting bio-signals using a plurality of bio-sensing areas, where the bio-sensing areas are located in an area of the electronic device where a user typically comes into contact with the electronic device and analyzing the detected bio-signals.

In Example M2, the subject matter of Example M1 can optionally include where the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located on a keyboard portion of a laptop.

In Example M3, the subject matter of any one of the Examples M1-M2 can optionally include where the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically rests their palms.

In Example M4, the subject matter of any one of the Examples M1-M3 can optionally include where the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically holds a handheld device.

In Example M5, the subject matter of any one of the Examples M1-M4 can optionally include where the plurality of bio-sensing areas are blended with the form-factor of the electronic device.

In Example M6, the subject matter of any one of the Examples M1-M5 can optionally include where the bio-signals are analyzed by a bio-signals engine.

In Example M7, the subject matter of any one of the Examples M1-M7 can optionally include where the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals and perform a bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Example X1 is a machine-readable storage medium including machine-readable instructions to implement a method or realize an apparatus as in any one of the Examples A1-A7, or M1-M7. Example Y1 is an apparatus comprising means for performing of any of the Example methods M1-M7. In Example Y2, the subject matter of Example Y1 can optionally include the means for performing the method comprising a processor and a memory. In Example Y3, the subject matter of Example Y2 can optionally include the memory comprising machine-readable instructions.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising: a plurality of bio-sensing areas, wherein the bio-sensing areas are located in one or more areas of the electronic device where a user typically comes into contact with the electronic device; anda bio-signals engine, wherein the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals detected by the bio-sensing areas.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a keyboard portion and the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located on the keyboard portion of the electronic device.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically rests their palms.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a handheld device and the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically holds the handheld device.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bio-sensing areas are blended with a form-factor of the electronic device.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bio-sensing areas are removably contained in a pocket on the electronic device.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the bio-sensing areas have a thickness of about 250 microns to about 400 microns thick.

8. An electronic device, comprising: a first housing, wherein the first housing includes a display; anda second housing, wherein the second housing includes: a keyboard;a plurality of bio-sensing areas, wherein the bio-sensing areas are located in an area of the electronic device where a user typically comes into contact with the electronic device; anda bio-signals engine, wherein the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals detected by the bio-sensing areas.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically rests their palms.

10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of bio-sensing areas are blended with a form-factor of the electronic device.

11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of bio-sensing areas are removably contained in a pocket on a form-factor of the electronic device.

12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals and perform a bioelectrical impedance analysis.

13. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the electronic device is a laptop computer.

14. A method comprising: detecting bio-signals using a plurality of bio-sensing areas, wherein the bio-sensing areas are located in an area of the electronic device where a user typically comes into contact with the electronic device; andanalyzing the detected bio-signals.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located on a keyboard portion of a laptop.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically rests their palms.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of bio-sensing areas are located in an area where a user typically holds a handheld device.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of bio-sensing areas are blended with a form-factor of the electronic device.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the bio-signals are analyzed by a bio-signals engine.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the bio-signals engine can analyze bio signals and perform a bioelectrical impedance analysis.