CN116456004A

CN116456004A - Electronic equipment

Info

Publication number: CN116456004A
Application number: CN202310041017.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·T·蒋; D·W·罗宾逊; N·T·维特; T·S·阿图拉布什内尔
Original assignee: Apple Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 2022-01-14
Filing date: 2023-01-12
Publication date: 2023-07-18

Abstract

An electronic device is provided that includes a housing sidewall defining an opening and a display member, such as a display cover, disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display member. In at least one example, a cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover, the cavity being in fluid communication with an external environment through the gap. In at least one example, the epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and may be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.

Description

Electronic equipment

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/374738, titled "ELECTRONIC DEVICE", U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/364012, titled "ELECTRONIC DEVICE", U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/364012, titled "ELECTRONIC DEVICE", U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/266829, titled "ELECTRONIC DEVICE", filed on day 2022, month 9, and day 2, and the disclosures of these patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to wearable electronic devices.

Background

In designing electronic devices, the portability of the devices is increasingly considered, for example, to allow users to use the devices in a variety of situations and environments. In the context of wearable devices, these devices may be designed to include many different functions and operate in many different locations and environments. Components of the electronic device, such as the processor, memory, antenna, display, and other components, may determine, in part, the performance level of the electronic device. In addition, the arrangement of these components relative to one another in the device may also determine the overall performance level of the electronic device.

The continual advances in electronic devices and components thereof have resulted in considerable improvements in performance. However, existing components and structures of electronic devices may limit the performance level of such devices. For example, while some components may achieve high performance levels in some cases, including multiple components in a device sized to enhance portability may limit the performance of the components, thereby limiting the performance of the device. Accordingly, it may be desirable to further customize and arrange components of an electronic device to provide additional or enhanced functionality without introducing or adding undesirable device characteristics.

Disclosure of Invention

In at least one example of the present disclosure, the housing sidewall may define an opening, and a display component (such as a display cover) may be disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing sidewall and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity is defined by the sidewall and the display cover, wherein the cavity is in fluid communication with the external environment through the gap. In at least one example, the epoxy component at least partially defines the cavity and may be in direct contact with the housing sidewall.

In at least one example of the electronic device, the housing sidewall includes an upper sidewall portion and a lower sidewall portion bonded to an intermediate sidewall portion disposed between the upper sidewall portion and the lower sidewall portion. The housing may define an opening and the display assembly may be disposed in the opening to form a gap between the housing and the display assembly. Further, in at least one example, an epoxy component can be used as a seal disposed between the display assembly and the sidewall and extending laterally across the gap, with the epoxy component seal bonded directly to the middle portion of the sidewall.

In at least one embodiment, an electronic device can include a sidewall defining an interior volume and an opening. The sidewall may include an upper portion, a lower portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between and bonded to the upper and lower portions. The apparatus may further include: a display cover disposed in the opening and defining an interior volume; a side cavity defined by the display assembly and the side wall, the cavity being in fluid communication with an external environment through a gap formed between the display assembly and the side wall; and an epoxy layer contacting the lower portion and the intermediate portion and at least partially defining a cavity.

In at least one example embodiment, an electronic device may include an outer housing defining an interior volume, a first speaker and a second speaker disposed in the interior volume. The first speaker may include a frame disposed around a perimeter of a diaphragm of the first speaker. The front volume may be defined by the outer housing, the first speaker, and the second speaker. Similarly, the first rear volume may be defined by the first speaker and the frame, and the second rear volume may be defined by the second speaker and the frame.

In at least one embodiment, an electronic device may include an outer housing, an inner housing spaced apart from the outer housing, and a speaker assembly disposed between the inner housing and the outer housing. The speaker assembly may include a first speaker, a second speaker, and a speaker frame supporting the first speaker. The apparatus may further include a first back volume defined by the inner housing and the first speaker and a second back volume defined by the inner housing and the second speaker, wherein the second back volume is separated from the first back volume by the speaker frame.

In at least one example, an electronic device can include an outer housing, an inner housing, and a speaker assembly disposed between the inner housing and the outer housing. The speaker assembly may include a first speaker and a second speaker. The electronic device may further include: a front volume defined by the outer housing and the speaker assembly; a rear volume defined by the inner housing and the speaker assembly; a first vent through which a first end of the front volume is in fluid communication with an external environment; and a second vent through which a second end of the front volume is in fluid communication with the external environment. The rear volume may be divided into a first isolation portion and a second isolation portion.

In at least one embodiment, an electronic device may include: a housing defining an interior volume and an orifice; a button disposed in the aperture, the button comprising a plunger extending into the interior volume; and a speaker frame disposed in the interior volume and defining an opening. The plunger may extend through the opening.

In at least one embodiment, an electronic device may include: a housing defining an interior volume; a plunger extending into the interior volume; and a frame that structurally supports the first speaker and the second speaker. The frame may be disposed in the interior volume and define an opening between the first speaker and the second speaker. The plunger may be aligned with the opening.

In at least one embodiment, an electronic device may include: an outer housing defining an aperture; an inner housing spaced apart from the outer housing and defining an interior volume, the inner housing and the outer housing defining a speaker volume; a button having a plunger, the button disposed in the bore; and a speaker assembly including a speaker frame defining an aperture. The plunger may be aligned with the aperture and extend into the speaker volume toward the inner housing.

In at least one embodiment, an electronic device may include: a sidewall comprising an antenna and defining an interior volume; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) disposed in the interior volume; an insulating material disposed in the interior volume; and an electrical connector contacting the PCB, the electrical connector extending through the insulating material and making electrical contact between the antenna and the PCB.

In at least one example embodiment, an electronic device may include: a conductive housing sidewall defining an interior volume; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) disposed in the interior volume; an electrical connector contacting the PCB and extending through the insulating material; and an elongated conductive member disposed between the housing sidewall and the electrical connector, the elongated conductive member contacting the electrical connector and the housing sidewall.

In at least one embodiment, an electronic device may include: a housing sidewall comprising a lower portion and an electrically conductive upper portion separated from the lower portion by a non-conductive material, the housing sidewall defining an interior volume and an opening; a display member disposed in the opening; a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) disposed in the interior volume below the display component; an insulating material disposed in the interior volume between the housing sidewall and the PCB; and a connector forming an electrical path between the upper conductive portion of the sidewall and the PCB. The upper portion may form a ring around the perimeter of the display component.

In at least one embodiment, a wearable electronic device can include a housing having a sidewall. The sidewall may define an interior volume around which the sidewall extends circumferentially 360 degrees. The sidewall may also define a first aperture, a second aperture between about 155 degrees and 205 degrees relative to the first aperture, and a third aperture closer to the second aperture than to the first aperture. The wearable electronic device may further include: a first microphone disposed in the interior volume and configured to receive sound through the first aperture; a second microphone disposed in the interior volume and configured to receive sound through the second aperture; and a third microphone disposed in the interior volume and configured to receive sound through the third aperture.

In at least one embodiment, a wearable electronic device may include: a housing sidewall defining an interior volume; a first strap receiving feature; a second belt receiving feature opposite the first belt receiving feature; a first sidewall portion extending between the first and second belt receiving features, the first sidewall portion defining a first aperture closer to the first belt receiving feature than to the second belt receiving feature; a second sidewall portion disposed opposite the first sidewall portion and extending between the first and second belt receiving features, the second sidewall portion defining a second aperture and a third aperture, the second aperture being defined closer to the second belt receiving feature than to the first belt receiving feature. The wearable electronic device may further include: a first microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the first aperture; a second microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the second aperture; and a third microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the third aperture.

In at least one example of the present invention, an electronic device may include: a sidewall defining an interior volume, a first aperture, a second aperture, a third aperture, and a fourth aperture; a first microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the first aperture; a second microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the second aperture; a third microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the third aperture; and a speaker disposed in the interior volume adjacent the fourth aperture. The distance along the sidewall between the first aperture and the second aperture may be greater than the distance along the sidewall between the second aperture and the third aperture, and the fourth aperture may be adjacent to the first aperture.

Drawings

The present disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 1B illustrates a top view of a portion of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom view of a portion of a wearable electronic device;

fig. 2A shows a perspective view of an example of a wearable electronic device;

fig. 2B shows a perspective view of an example of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 2C illustrates an exploded view of an example of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an example of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of an example sidewall of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 5A shows a cross-sectional view of an example sidewall of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 5B illustrates another cross-sectional view of an example sidewall of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 5C illustrates another cross-sectional view of an example sidewall of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an interface between plastic and metal portions of an example sidewall of an electronic device;

FIG. 7A shows another view of the interface of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7B illustrates another view of the interface of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7C shows another view of the interface of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of bonding a metallic substrate to a non-metallic substrate;

FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view of an example sidewall and internal components of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 9B illustrates another cross-sectional view of an example sidewall and internal components of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 9C illustrates another cross-sectional view of an example sidewall and internal components of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 10A illustrates a top perspective view of an example housing sidewall of an electronic device;

FIG. 10B shows a top view of the housing sidewall of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C shows a close-up top view of a portion of the housing sidewall of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an example sidewall and internal components of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 12 shows a top view of a portion of an example of an electronic device including a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and surrounding electrical contacts;

FIG. 13 shows a top view of a portion of an example of an electronic device including a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and surrounding electrical contacts;

FIG. 14A shows a cross-sectional view of an example sidewall and internal components of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 14B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example sidewall and internal components of a wearable electronic device;

Fig. 15A shows a side view of an example of a wearable electronic device;

FIG. 15B shows a cross-sectional view thereof;

fig. 15C shows an equivalent circuit diagram of the device shown in fig. 15A and 15B worn by a user;

FIG. 16 shows an example PCB of an electronic device;

FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of an example PCB of an electronic device;

FIG. 18 illustrates a portion of an example PCB of an electronic device;

FIG. 19 illustrates a temperature sensor disposed on an exemplary ALS module of an electronic device;

FIG. 20A shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of an example of an electronic device;

FIG. 20B shows a close-up view of a portion of FIG. 20A;

fig. 20C shows an example of a speaker frame;

fig. 20D shows an example of a speaker assembly of an electronic device;

FIG. 20E illustrates the speaker assembly of FIG. 20D with an example of a button;

fig. 20F shows another cross-sectional view of the speaker assembly of fig. 20E;

FIG. 20G illustrates another cross-sectional view of the speaker and button assembly of FIG. 20E;

FIG. 20H illustrates another cross-sectional view of the speaker and button assembly of FIG. 20E;

FIG. 20I illustrates another cross-sectional view of the speaker and button assembly of FIG. 20F;

FIG. 20J illustrates another cross-sectional view of the speaker and button assembly of FIG. 20F;

FIG. 20K illustrates another cross-sectional view of the speaker and button assembly of FIG. 20F;

fig. 21 shows another cross-sectional view of the speaker assembly of fig. 20E;

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a user riding a bicycle while wearing a wearable electronic device;

fig. 23 shows an example of an electronic device affected by wind;

fig. 24 shows an example of an electronic device affected by wind from various directions;

FIG. 25 shows a top view of an example of an electronic device;

FIG. 26 shows a top view of an example of an electronic device;

FIG. 27 shows a top view of an example of an electronic device; and is also provided with

Fig. 28 shows a top view of an example of an electronic device.

Fig. 29A shows a bottom view of an example of an electronic device;

fig. 29B shows a cross-sectional view of an example rear cover of an electronic device;

FIG. 30 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of an example rear cover and fastener of an electronic device;

FIG. 31 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an example rear cover and fastener of an electronic device;

FIG. 32 shows an example of a rear cover fastener;

FIG. 33A illustrates another example of a back cover fastener;

FIG. 33B illustrates another example of a back cover fastener;

FIG. 34 illustrates a top view of another example of a fastener;

FIG. 35 shows a top view of another example of a fastener;

FIG. 36A shows a top view of another example of a fastener;

fig. 36B shows a side view thereof;

fig. 37 illustrates a method of forming the fastener shown in fig. 36A and 36B.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to the representative examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred example or embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

The following disclosure relates generally to electronic devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to wearable electronic devices. The wearable electronic device of the present disclosure includes a customized arrangement of components to provide additional or enhanced functionality without introducing or adding undesirable device characteristics or capabilities. In this way, more functions and components may be included in the wearable device for the user to wear and operate under any conditions or in any activity without limiting the functionality and durability of the device.

Specific examples and embodiments of electronic devices (including wearable electronic devices) are discussed below with reference to fig. 1-28. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. Further, as used herein, a system, method, article, component, feature, or sub-feature comprising at least one of the first, second, or third options is to be understood as referring to a system, method, article, component, feature, or sub-feature that can comprise one (e.g., only one first option, only one second option, only one third option) of each listed option, multiple (e.g., two or more first options) of a single listed option, two (e.g., one first option and one second option) at the same time, or a combination thereof (e.g., two first options and one second option).

Fig. 1A shows an example of an electronic device 100. The electronic device shown in fig. 1A is a wristwatch, such as a smartwatch. The smart watch of fig. 1A is merely one representative example of a device that may be used in conjunction with the systems and methods disclosed herein. The electronic device 100 may correspond to any form of wearable electronic device, portable media player, media storage device, portable digital assistant ("PDA"), tablet computer, mobile communication device, GPS unit, remote control device, or other electronic device. The electronic device 100 may be referred to as an electronic device or a consumer device. In some examples, electronic device 100 may include a housing 102 that may carry an operating component, for example, in an interior volume at least partially defined by the housing. Electronic device 100 may also include straps 104 or other retaining components that may secure device 100 to a user's body as desired. Further details of the electronic device are provided below with reference to fig. 1B.

Fig. 1B illustrates an electronic device 100 (e.g., a smart watch) that may be substantially similar to the devices described herein (including the electronic device 100 illustrated in fig. 1A, but without strap 104) and may include some or all of the features of the devices described herein. The device 100 may include a housing 102 and a display assembly 106 attached to the housing 102. The housing 102 may substantially define at least a portion of an exterior surface of the device 100.

Display assembly 106 may include a glass, plastic, or any other substantially transparent outer layer, material, part, or assembly. Display assembly 106 may include multiple layers, each of which provides unique functionality, as described herein. Thus, the display assembly 106 may be or may be part of an interface component. The display assembly 106 may define a front exterior surface of the device 100, and as described herein, the exterior surface may be considered an interface surface. In some examples, the interface surface defined by the display assembly 106 may receive input from a user, such as touch input.

In some examples, the housing 102 is a substantially continuous or unitary component and may define one or more openings to receive components of the electronic device 100. In some examples, the device 100 may include input components, such as one or more buttons 108 and/or crowns 110 that may be disposed in the opening. In some examples, a material may be disposed between the button 108 and/or crown 110 and the housing 102 to provide an airtight and/or watertight seal at the location of the opening. The housing 102 may also define one or more openings or apertures, such as aperture 112, which may allow sound to pass into or out of the interior volume defined by the housing 102. For example, the aperture 112 may be in communication with a microphone component disposed in the interior volume. In some examples, the housing 102 may define or include features, such as recesses, to removably couple the housing 102 and the strap or retaining member.

Fig. 1C shows a bottom perspective view of the electronic device 100. The device 100 may include a rear cover 114 that may be attached to the housing 102, for example, opposite the display assembly 106. The rear cover 114 may comprise ceramic, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the back cover 114 may include an at least partially electromagnetically transparent member 116. The electromagnetically transparent member 116 may be transparent to any desired wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, infrared light, radio waves, or combinations thereof. In some examples, electromagnetically transparent component 116 may allow sensors and/or transmitters disposed in housing 102 to communicate with an external environment. The housing 102, display assembly 106, and rear cover 114 together may substantially define the interior volume and exterior surfaces of the device 100.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 1A-1C (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 1A-1C, alone or in any combination.

As described above, portable and wearable electronic devices may be designed to be used in many different environments and during any kind of activity throughout the day of the user. For example, a user may carry a wearable electronic watch, headset, and phone during exercise, sleep, driving, cycling, hiking, swimming, diving, in the rain, in the sun, and the like. The wearable electronic devices described herein are configured to withstand a wide variety of and often harsh conditions of various environments, including varying environments and humid environments. Moist environments may include wearing the device, for example, in the rain or submerged in water during bathing or swimming.

Examples of the electronic devices disclosed herein include components, features, arrangements, and configurations that are resistant to damage and corrosion due to exposure to moisture. Some aspects of the devices described herein may include gaps between components through which moisture, water, or other fluids may enter. The gap may be present for aesthetic purposes or for functional purposes. However, one or more components of the devices described herein (including the epoxy seal, insulating material, and frame) and other components may be configured to prevent such moisture from entering the interior volume of the device, where sensitive electronic components may be damaged thereby.

In this manner, fig. 2A and 2B illustrate right and left perspective views, respectively, of an example of a wearable electronic device 200 including a housing 202 that includes a side wall 228 defining an opening in which a display cover 222 is disposed. The side wall may include an upper portion 232 defining an upper peripheral edge surrounding the display cover 222, a lower portion 234, and an intermediate portion 236 disposed between the upper portion 232 and the lower portion 234. The wearable electronic device 200 may also include a securing strap 203 configured to secure the wearable electronic device 200 to an appendage of a user. In at least one example, the side wall 228 of the housing 202 can define an upper peripheral edge of the device 200 that surrounds the display cover 222.

In at least one example, the display cover 222 defines a top surface disposed in a plane. The plane may be flush with the upper peripheral edge of the sidewall 228 or disposed below the upper peripheral edge. In this way, contact and potential damage to the display cover 222 may be reduced when the wearable electronic device 200 is in contact with a surface or object at or near the upper surface of the display cover 222 and/or the upper peripheral edge of the side wall 228. In one example, the display cover 222 is disposed flush with or below an upper peripheral edge of the sidewall 228 to protect the display cover 222 from damage.

In at least one example, as shown in fig. 2A, the sidewall 228 can define a first side of the wearable electronic device 200 having a recessed feature in which the crown 210 is positioned. Crown 210 may be part of a rotary dial button or other functional knob configured to be manipulated by a user. The crown 210 may be disposed in the recessed portion, as described above, such that the first side of the sidewall 228 extends outwardly and at least partially surrounds the crown 210. In this way, contact and collision of other objects with the first side of the sidewall 228 during use may contact the sidewall 228 without depressing or rotating the crown 210. In this way, the recessed portion of the first side of the sidewall 228 prevents the crown 210 from being inadvertently maneuvered. The button 209 shown in fig. 2A may also be at least partially surrounded by an outwardly extending portion of the sidewall 228 such that the button 209 is disposed within a recess thereof to protect the button 209 from accidental contact.

In at least one example, as shown in fig. 2B, the sidewall 228 can define a second side opposite the first side shown in fig. 2A. In such examples, the wearable electronic device 200 may include a first speaker vent 249, a second speaker vent 247, and a button 208 disposed between the first speaker vent 249 and the second speaker vent 247. The first speaker vent 249 and the second speaker vent 247 can provide fluid communication of a common speaker volume behind the side wall 228 (e.g., within an interior volume defined by the side wall 228) and an external environment. The button 208 may be disposed between the first speaker vent 249 and the second speaker vent 247 to save space and provide a compact design without interfering with the function of one or more speakers communicating with the external environment through the first speaker vent 249 and the second speaker vent 247.

Fig. 2C shows an exploded view of another example of an electronic device 200, which may also be part of a wearable electronic watch or other wearable electronic device. Device 200 includes a display assembly 206, a housing 202, a back cover 214, and an electromagnetically transparent member 216. Additionally, the exploded view of FIG. 2A shows various internal components that may be disposed within the internal volume defined by the housing 202, the back cover 214, the electromagnetically transparent component 216, and the display assembly 206. For example, the device 200 may include one or more Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) 218 and one or more antenna components 220, electrical connectors and electrical flexibles, buttons, seals, gaskets, memory components, processors, sensors, dial keys, batteries, and the like.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 2A-2C (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 2A-2C, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 3 shows a close-up view of a portion of the exploded view of the device 200 shown in fig. 2, including the housing 202 and the display assembly 206, with the display assembly further exploded to show the display cover 222 and the display layer 224. Additionally, the exploded view of FIG. 3 shows a wave ring 226 (also referred to herein as an "elongated conductive member") that will be described and discussed in more detail below with reference to other figures. In at least one example, the housing 202 includes one or more side walls 228 defining an interior volume and an opening 230. When assembled, display assembly 206 or one or more components of display assembly 206 may be disposed in the opening to form an exterior surface of device 200 and define an interior volume.

In at least one example, the side wall 228 can include an upper portion 232 and a lower portion 234. The upper portion 232 and the lower portion 234 may be separated by an intermediate portion 236 disposed between the upper portion 232 and the lower portion 234. In at least one example, the upper portion 232 and the lower portion 234 of the sidewall 228 can include one or more conductive materials, and the intermediate portion 236 can include one or more non-conductive materials and/or insulating materials. The intermediate portion 236 may be molded or otherwise adhered to the upper portion 232 and/or the lower portion 234 such that the upper portion 232, lower portion 234, and intermediate portion 236 form a single integral side wall 228 of the housing 202, as shown.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 3 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 3, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 4 shows an example of an intermediate portion 336 separate from the remainder of the side wall of the housing, similar to intermediate portion 236 shown as part of side wall 228 of fig. 3. In the example shown in fig. 4, a non-conductive material component or ring 338 is bonded to the intermediate portion 336. In at least one example, the non-conductive material ring 338 may include an epoxy component 338. As used herein, the term "epoxy" may include non-conductive adhesives commonly used and understood in the art, including hot melt adhesives. The intermediate portion 336 may also include raised features 340 that extend at least partially around the inner surface of the intermediate portion 336. Raised features 340 may form the lower surface of intermediate portion 336. Additionally, in at least one example, the intermediate portion 336 can include one or more upper protrusions 342 spaced about and extending inwardly relative to an outer surface of the sidewall 328. Further, at least one example of the intermediate portion 336 may include one or more lower protrusions 344 spaced about and extending from the intermediate portion 336, as shown in fig. 4. Fig. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate partial cross-sectional views as shown in fig. 3, but around various points along the side wall 228 to illustrate the location and configuration of the intermediate portion 336, the epoxy component 338, the upper portion 332 and the lower portion 334.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 4 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 4, alone or in any combination.

In the first cross-sectional view of fig. 5A, raised features 340 and lower protrusions 344 of intermediate portion 336 can be seen. In at least one example, the epoxy component 338 is bonded to an upper surface 348 defined by the lower portion 334 of the sidewall 328. The epoxy component 338 may also be directly bonded to the intermediate portion 336, such as a lower surface 346 defined by raised features 340 including lower protrusions 344 and the intermediate portion 336. Fig. 5B shows another cross-sectional view at a point along the side wall 328 where the upper and lower protrusions 342, 344 of the intermediate portion 336 can be seen, and fig. 5C shows another cross-sectional view at a point along the side wall 328 where the upper protrusion 342 of the intermediate portion 336 can be seen.

As shown in fig. 5A, 5B and 5C, the epoxy component 338, which is directly bonded to the lower portion 334 or the middle portion 336 of the sidewall 328, blocks any possible path for moisture from the external environment 350 to travel through the sidewall 328 of the device to the interior volume 352. Thus, the intimate bonding of the epoxy component 338 to the one or more portions 334, 336 prevents water and moisture from entering the interior volume 352 from the external environment 350 through the sidewall 328. In addition to moisture resistant bonding between the epoxy component 338 and the sidewall 328, in at least one example, the intermediate portion 336 of the sidewall 328 may be bonded to the upper portion 332 and the lower portion 334, respectively, such that the bonding therebetween substantially or completely prevents moisture from passing or entering into the sidewall 328 at the interface between the intermediate portion 336 and the upper portion 332 and the lower portion 334, respectively. Fig. 6-8 illustrate interfaces and methods of bonding the intermediate portion 336 to the lower portion 334 and/or the upper portion 332 of the sidewall 328.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 5A-5C (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 5A-5C, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 6 shows one example of a plastic-metal interface, such as an interface between a conductive bottom portion 434 and a non-conductive middle portion 436. In at least one example, bottom portion 434 can include titanium and middle portion 436 can include a polymeric material. In one example, the polymeric material can include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), including glass-filled PBT. As shown, the titanium material of the bottom portion 434 may be treated to form a reinforced polymer-Ti bond at the interface.

In at least one example, there can be surface features including nanopores and protrusions 454, and polymer can flow into and around these holes and protrusions during formation to increase the bond therebetween. In at least one example, an etching process can be performed to form the features 454 shown in fig. 6. In at least one example, the etching process can include etching with sulfuric acid to form rough macro-pits or features in the titanium substrate of bottom portion 434. In addition, a sodium hydroxide oxidation step may be used to form the oxide layer, resulting in the nanopores and protrusions 454 shown in FIG. 6.

In this manner, fig. 7A-7C show images of bottom portion 434 at various stages of the above-described process, including a 1,000x SEM image of the acid etched surface in fig. 7A. Fig. 7B shows a 50,000x SEM image of an oxide surface having a uniform oxide composition exhibiting a plate-like morphology. Fig. 7C shows a layered double hydroxide interface including a protrusion 454 (which is similar to those shown in fig. 6) into which the plastic polymer material of the middle portion 436 may flow and around the protrusion and interlock with the metal material of the bottom portion 434 to enhance bonding, as described above.

Fig. 8 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method 460 of forming the interface illustrated in fig. 6-7C. In at least one example, step 456 includes the sulfuric acid etching step described above, and another step 458 includes the sodium hydroxide oxidation step described above. In at least one example of method 460, between steps 456 and 458, a decontamination method 462 may be performed to decontaminate the surface. In at least one example of the decontamination method 462 illustrated in fig. 8, step 464 may include alkaline decontamination, such as using sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and another step 466 may include an acidic decontamination step, such as using nitric acid (HNO 3).

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 6-8 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 6-8, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 9A-9C illustrate cross-sectional views of the device 500 that are similar to fig. 5A-5C, but wherein the display assembly 506 is disposed in an opening 532 formed by the side wall 528. In at least one example, the display assembly 506 including the display cover 522 and one or more other display layers 524 disposed below the display cover 522 may be disposed in the opening 532 such that a gap 568 is formed between the display assembly 506 and the sidewall 528. Gap 568 may be understood as the space between display assembly 506 or its display cover 522 and sidewall 528 or its upper portion 532, wherein display cover 522 does not contact sidewall 528. In at least one example, the upper surface of the display cover 522 may be flush with or disposed below the upper surface of the upper portion 532.

In at least one example, a cavity 570 is formed in which the wave ring 526 is disposed. The cavity may be defined by the side wall 528 (including the upper portion 532 and the middle portion 536), the epoxy component 538, and the display assembly 506, or at least the display cover 522 thereof. In at least one example, the cavity may also be defined by an insulating material 576 disposed between the display assembly 506 and/or its display cover 522 and the epoxy member 538. One or more other components, including a first (or last) antenna layer 578 or other layers. As described above, the epoxy component 538 may be bonded to other layers and components, including the first antenna layer 578, the intermediate portion 536, the lower portion 534, and/or the insulating material 576 to prevent moisture from entering the interior volume 552 from the external environment 550 of the device 500 such that any moisture or fluid entering the cavity 570 through the gap 568 does not continue to enter the interior volume 552. In this way, the cavity may be fluid impermeable.

Fig. 9A, 9B, and 9C show cross-sectional views at various locations around the sidewall 528 to illustrate how a wave ring 526 disposed in the cavity 570 can contact an upper portion 532 of the sidewall 528 at one or more locations along the length of the wave ring 526, as shown in fig. 9B, and can contact an electrical contact 572 on the other side of the cavity 570 at one or more other locations along the length of the wave ring 526, as shown in fig. 9C.

Thus, in at least one example of the present disclosure, the housing sidewall 528 may define an opening 532, and a display component (such as the display cover 522) may be disposed in the opening 532 to form a gap 568 between the housing sidewall 528 and the display component. In at least one example, the cavity 570 is defined by the sidewall 528 and the display cover 522, wherein the cavity 570 is in fluid communication with the external environment 550 through the gap 568. In at least one example, the epoxy member 538 at least partially defines the cavity 570 and may be in direct contact with the housing sidewall 528.

In at least one example of the electronic device 500, the housing sidewall 528 has an upper sidewall portion 532 and a lower sidewall portion 534 bonded to an intermediate sidewall portion 536 disposed between the upper sidewall portion 532 and the lower sidewall portion 534, respectively. The housing may define an opening 532 and the display assembly 506 may be disposed in the opening 532 to form a gap 568 between the housing and the display assembly 506. Further, in at least one example, the epoxy member 538 can act as a seal disposed below the display assembly 506 and extend laterally across the gap 568, with the epoxy member seal 538 bonded directly to the intermediate portion 536 of the sidewall 528.

In at least one example of the present disclosure, the electronic device 500 can include a sidewall 528 defining an interior volume 552 and an opening 532. In at least one example, the side wall 528 can include an upper portion 532, a lower portion 534, and an intermediate portion 536 disposed between and bonded to the upper portion 532 and the lower portion 534. The apparatus 500 may further include: a display cover 522 disposed in the opening 532 and defining an interior volume 552; a side cavity 570 defined by the display assembly 506 and the side wall 528, wherein the cavity 570 is in fluid communication with the external environment 550 through a gap 568 formed between the display assembly 506 and the side wall 528; and an epoxy layer 538 contacting the lower portion 534 and the intermediate portion 536 and at least partially defining the cavity 570.

As described above and shown in fig. 9A-9C, the device 500 may include an epoxy component 538 disposed at least partially between the display cover 522 and the lower portion 534 of the display assembly 506 or between one or more other components of the display assembly 506 (including the display layer 524) and the lower portion 534. One or more other components (e.g., first antenna layer 578) may also be disposed or stacked between the epoxy component 538 and the display assembly 506 or cover 522. Additionally, as shown in fig. 9C, one or more examples of the device 500 may include an insulating material 576. The insulating polymer 576 may include and support a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 574 disposed in the interior volume 552.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 9A-9C (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 9A-9C, alone or in any combination.

As described above, fig. 9A, 9B, and 9C show cross-sectional views at various locations around the sidewall 528 to illustrate how the wave ring 526 disposed in the cavity 570 can contact the upper portion 532 of the sidewall 528 at one or more locations along the length of the wave ring 526, as shown in fig. 9B. Thus, in at least one example, the intermediate portion 536 can include a gap or window through which a post or other portion of the upper portion 532 of the sidewall 528 is exposed through the intermediate portion 536 such that the undulating ring 526 can directly contact the upper portion 532, as shown in fig. 9B. In addition, the wave ring 526 may contact electrical contacts 572 on the other side of the cavity 570 at one or more other locations along the length of the wave ring 526, as shown in fig. 9C. The electrical contacts 572 may extend through the insulating material 576 and electrically connect to the PCB 574. In this way, the upper portion 532 of the sidewall 528 may be electrically connected to the PCB 574 through the wave ring 526. While the contact between the wave ring 526 and the electrical contact 572 is shown in fig. 9A-9C (and in fig. 12 and 13 below) as being caused by a wave or circumferential variation (or wave) in the wave ring 526, the electrical contact may be made of any number of discrete or continuous geometries, such as recesses or protrusions on the wave ring 526, or discrete or continuous protrusions on the housing. According to this example, any number of mating geometries may be used between the wave ring 526 and the housing.

In at least one example, the upper portion 532 of the sidewall 528 can be electrically isolated from the lower portion 534 via an intermediate and non-conductive intermediate portion 536. In this way, the upper portion 532 may be a resonating element of the antenna of the device 500, with the lower portion 534 of the sidewall 528 acting as an electrical ground plane relative to the resonating plane of the upper portion 532. As described above, the upper portion 532 may be electrically connected to the PCB 574 of the device 500 such that signals received and transmitted by the resonating upper portion 532 may be directed to the PCB 574 and may be processed with one or more processors or other electronic components of the device 500, including any processors or other electronic components mounted on the PCB.

The wearable electronic devices described herein may include an antenna configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals during use. Incorporating an effective antenna into a small, compact device such as a wearable electronic watch can be challenging because, among other factors, the greater the distance between the resonant plane of the antenna and the ground plane, the better the performance of the antenna will be. However, space is typically limited to produce the required Z-distance necessary in a compact wearable electronic device. In the devices described herein, the housing and sidewalls of the device may be electrically separated into multiple parts to create a resonating element and a ground element of the antenna with sufficient separation (Z-distance) between the resonating element and the ground element to allow the housing itself to act as an antenna. However, such designs have their own challenges, including electrically connecting the resonating element to a PCB, processor, or other electronic device without reducing the Z-distance of the antenna. The wearable electronic devices described herein are configured to overcome these challenges.

In this manner, fig. 10A and 10B show top perspective and top views, respectively, of a subassembly of an apparatus 600 according to the present disclosure. The subassembly includes a housing sidewall 628 that includes an upper portion 632, a lower portion 634, and a middle portion 636 separating the upper portion 632 from the lower portion 634. As described above, the upper portion 632 and the lower portion 632 may comprise a conductive material, and the middle portion 636 may comprise an electrically insulating or non-conductive material, such that the upper portion 632 of the sidewall 628 forms a resonating element of the antenna that is separated by a distance (or "Z distance") in a vertical or "Z" direction relative to an electrical ground plane of the lower portion 634.

The epoxy member 638 may also be bonded to the interior of the sidewall 628 and to the middle portion 636 and lower portion 634. In addition, fig. 10A also shows a wavy ring 626. Fig. 10C shows a close-up view of the subassembly from the top view, with a close-up area indicated in fig. 10B, to show a portion of the wavy ring 626 extending away from the sidewall 628 to contact electrical contacts in the interior volume of the device. As shown in fig. 10B, the inner portion of the wave ring 626 includes a plurality of dimples or protrusions 640 configured to engage electrical contacts 572 that may extend through the insulating material 576 and electrically connect to a PCB 574 (shown in fig. 9C). As described above, in addition to or in lieu of the protrusions 640 on the wavy ring 626, protrusions may be formed on the housing to facilitate or ensure a secure connection between the wavy ring 626 and the electrical contact 572.

Fig. 10A also shows a cutout 650 formed in the inner surface of the housing sidewall 628. As shown, the cutout 650 extends into the housing sidewall 628 below the intermediate portion 636 and the epoxy portion 638. According to one example, the cutout 650 is formed by machining or otherwise removing a slot of the housing sidewall 628 to create a cavity on an upper portion of the interior volume prior to assembling the device 600. As shown, the cutout 650 provides additional volume within the housing sidewall 628 that can be used for connection or other containment. According to one example, the cutout provides an isolated volume, wherein component connections may be made, such as for microphones or pressure sensors that are typically located near the exterior of the device 600, without consuming valuable internal volume. In one example, a board-to-board connection (such as a hot bar solder) may be performed on the main PCB within the main cavity, and then the flex cable may extend from the main PCT to a cutout 650 formed in the inner surface of the housing sidewall 628. Within the cutout 650, according to one example, a tray 652 securable to the housing may include a circuit board 654 having any number of components 656 (such as connectors, components, gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.), which may then be connected to the PCB via flexible cables. According to this example, the transition of the multiple connections to the previously unused portion of the housing sidewall 628 allows for increased space within the housing for additional battery volume or the inclusion of additional connectors or features on the main PCB.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 10A-10C (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 10A-10C, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 11 shows another cross-sectional view similar to that shown in fig. 9A-9C, wherein the side wall 728 includes an upper portion 732, a middle portion 736, and a lower portion 734. The side walls 728 define an opening 732 in which the display assembly 706 is disposed, the display assembly 706 including the display cover 722 and one or more other display layers or components 724. As shown, the epoxy component 738 may contact the lower portion 734 and the intermediate portion 736, and one or more other layers or components (e.g., the first antenna layer 772 and the insulating material 776) may be stacked or disposed between the display cover 722 and the epoxy component 738. In at least one example, the insulating material 776 (which may also be referred to herein as a mounting component 776) may structurally support one or more other components, including the display cover 722 or other component 724 extending therethrough, the electrical contacts 772 and/or the display assembly 706.

In at least one example, the display mounting member 776 can be formed from a molding material, such as a molded insulating material, including a polymer (e.g., a low injection pressure over-molded polymer). The material forming the component 776 may be epoxy, polyurethane, and/or other polymeric materials. Thermoplastic and/or thermosetting polymers may be used to form the component 776. Heat and/or light (e.g., ultraviolet light) may be used to cure the polymer-forming component 776. As one illustrative example, the component 776 may be formed from a thermosetting structural adhesive such as a one-part thermosetting epoxy. Other polymers may be used if desired. A vacuum may be applied to the interior of the mold to assist in drawing the liquid polymer into the desired shape within the mold during formation of the part 776.

One or more surfaces of the component 776 may be used as a reference surface (fiducial) to help establish a desired physical relationship between the component 776 and other portions of the device including the display assembly 706. For example, the component 776 may be attached to an opposing surface of the housing using an adhesive layer. The shape and location of the component 776 relative to the display overlay 722, the display layer 724, and other structures in the display 706 may help establish a desired position of the display 706 relative to the device housing. The upper surface of the component 776 may be molded directly to the underside of the display cover 722 to help form an environmental seal. However, in some examples, display assembly 706 may include a separate seal that may facilitate forming an environmental seal between display assembly 706 and the housing.

The position of the display mounting components is indicated in fig. 11 and 12. It can be seen that the display mounting member 776 extends around the perimeter of the PCB 774. Since the PCB 774 is smaller than the display cover 722, the molded insulating material of the display mounting component 776 may be adjacent to the edges of the PCB 774.

However, in some examples, the display assembly 706 for an electronic device may include a PCB 774 having one or more major dimensions (such as width and/or height) that are substantially similar to corresponding major dimensions of the display cover 722 or other components 724 of the display assembly 706. By using a PCB 774 with these dimensional relationships, the tail of the display layer 724 can be made flush with the major surface of the PCB 774 such that only a single shut down is required during the molding operation available to form the display mounting component. Accordingly, the molded insulating material of the display mounting component 776 may be disposed on a major surface of the PCB 774 and adjacent to a perimeter thereon while also at least partially surrounding the flexible tail of the associated display layer 724.

In this example, the molding material of the display mounting component 776 may also be used to secure the display assembly 706 to the device housing sidewall 728, or at least to components of the sidewall 728 (such as the lower portion 734), and/or to provide an environmental seal between the display cover 722 and the device housing sidewall 728. In some examples, the display mounting component 776 may at least partially define an exterior surface of the device, such as at an upper surface of the upper portion 732. Thus, in some examples, a portion of the exterior surface of the insulating molding material of the display mounting component 776 that defines the device may be positioned between the display cover 722 and the side wall 728 of the housing. Further, in some examples, portions of the exterior surface defined by the display mounting component 776 may be substantially horizontal, in line, and/or flush with portions of the exterior surface defined by the housing sidewall 728 and/or the display cover 722.

As described above, to electrically connect the upper portion 732 of the sidewall 728 that is the resonating element of the antenna, the electrical connector 772 may extend through the insulating material 776 from the wavy ring 726 to the PCB 774 and the wavy ring 728 may contact the upper portion 732 of the sidewall 726 at another point or location along the length of the wavy ring 726, similar to that shown in fig. 9B and described above. In this way, when the PCB 774 is disposed lower than the upper portion 732 of the side wall 728, the upper portion 732 of the side wall 728 may primarily define an upper resonant plane that is separate from the ground plane defined by the lower portion 734 of the side wall 728. This increase in the Z-distance between the upper portion 732 and the lower portion 734 of the sidewall 728 correspondingly increases the performance of the antenna of which the upper portion 732 forms a part, or at least a part, of its resonating element.

As shown in fig. 11, the profile of the wave member 726 may vary. According to one example, the wave-piece 726 is asymmetric in shape, placing a protrusion or dimple in a lower position on the body such that it provides better contact with the extended feature 784 of the electrical connector 772. In other words, due to the asymmetric profile of the undulating ring 726, dimples or protrusions are lower in the channel formed by the side walls 728 and may form a more secure connection with the extended features 784 having a lower profile. In addition, as shown in fig. 11, the wave ring 726 may include any number of optional back dimples 727 to extend toward the wave ring 726 and toward the extension feature 784 to ensure consistent contact therewith and promote contact with the housing. Alternatively or in addition, the side walls 728 may have selective protrusions or bumps 729 that reduce the distance between the undulating ring 726 and the extension features 784, thereby ensuring firm contact. Such added connection securing features may be particularly beneficial at the corners where the antenna feeds of the sidewalls 728 may be located.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 11 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 11, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 12 shows a top view of a subassembly of a device according to the present disclosure, including a wave ring 826, insulating material 876, electrical contacts 872, and PCB 874, which may be similar to or part of any of the devices, systems, or subassemblies described herein with reference to other figures. As shown in fig. 12, portions of the contoured ring 826 may be selectively overmolded 827 or otherwise insulated in areas where metal-to-metal contact with the housing is not desired, such as in areas where interlocking of plastic with a metal housing may occur. In the example shown in fig. 12, electrical contacts 872 form a single unitary piece extending around PCB 874 with discrete connection points 882 extending onto and contacting PCB882 or circuit/electrical path or other component on PCB882 or on the PCB.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 12 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 12, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 13 shows another example of a top view of a subassembly similar to that shown in fig. 12, but in which a plurality of discrete and separate electrical connectors 972a, 972b, and 972c are in contact with a PCB 974. Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 13 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 13, alone or in any combination.

In at least one example, the electronic device can include a sidewall 728 that includes an antenna 732 and that defines an interior volume. The apparatus may further include: a PCB 774 disposed in the interior volume; an insulating material 776 disposed in the interior volume; and an electrical connector 772 contacting PCB 774, the electrical connector 772 extending through the insulating material 776 and making electrical contact between the antenna 732 and the PCB 774.

In one example, an apparatus may include: a conductive housing sidewall 728 defining an interior volume; a PCB774 disposed in the interior volume; an electrical connector 772 contacting the PCB774 and extending through the insulating material 776; and an elongated conductive member 726 (also referred to herein as a wave ring 726) disposed between the housing sidewall 772 and the electrical connector 728, the elongated conductive member 726 contacting the electrical connector 772 and the housing sidewall 728.

In one example, an electronic device may include: a housing sidewall 728 comprising a lower portion 734 and an electrically conductive upper portion 732 separated from the lower portion 734 by an electrically non-conductive material 736, the housing sidewall 728 defining an interior volume and an opening 732; a display member 722 disposed in the opening 732; a PCB774 disposed in the interior volume below the display component 722; an insulating material 776 disposed in the interior volume between the housing sidewall 728 and the PCB 774; and a connector 772 that forms an electrical path between the upper conductive portion 732 of the side wall 728 and the PCB 774. In such examples, the upper portion 732 may form a ring that surrounds the perimeter of the display component 722.

In at least one example, the insulating material 776 is molded to the electrical connector 772. In one example, as shown in fig. 12, the insulating material 776 may include a continuous member that extends around the perimeter of the PCB 774. Similarly, in at least one example, the insulating material 776 may form or include a closed loop disposed between the PCB774 and the antenna 732 formed by the upper portion 732 of the sidewall 728. In one example, the elongate conductive member 726 contacts the electrical connector 772 at a first location along the length of the elongate conductive member 726 and contacts the housing sidewall 728 at a second location along the length of the elongate conductive member 726. In at least one example, the elongate conductive member 726 contacts the electrical connector 772 at a third location along the length of the elongate conductive member 726 and contacts the housing sidewall 728 at a fourth location along the length of the elongate conductive member 772.

In at least one example, the electrical connector 772 includes a continuous member 886, as shown in fig. 12, having one or more discrete extension features 784 (as shown in fig. 11) extending from the continuous member 886 and through the insulating material 776. The extension feature 784 extends through the insulating material 776 to contact the undulating ring 726 (or "elongate conductive member"), as shown in fig. 11.

As described above and referring now to fig. 14A, an increase in the Z-distance between the upper portion 1032, which is the resonating element of the antenna, and the electrical ground plane of the lower portion 1034 of the side wall 1028 may increase the performance of the antenna. To increase the Z-distance, the display cover 1022 of the device may include a lower sloped surface to make room for the electrical connector 1072 to extend further upward when in contact with the wavy ring 1026, thereby increasing the overall plane of the resonating element of the antenna above the ground plane of the lower portion 1034 of the housing.

For example, as shown in fig. 14A, the display cover 1022 includes a lower sloped surface 1084 that provides space for the electrical connector 1072 to make electrical connection with the wavy ring 1026, and thus the upper portion 1032 of the side wall 1028 that contacts the wavy ring 1026 further up to increase the Z-distance. The Z-distance between the resonant plane 1088 and the ground plane 1090 is shown in fig. 14B. As shown in fig. 14A, the electrical connector 1072 extends upward toward the display cover 1022 and extends to a space that would otherwise be occupied by the display cover 1022 if not the angled surface 1084.

The wavy ring 1026 may likewise be raised to a level in contact with the electrical connector 1072 shown in fig. 14A to raise the average height/level of the resonant plane relative to a ground plane formed at least in part by the lower portion 1034 of the side wall 1028. In this way, the Z-distance shown in fig. 14B may be maximized to increase the average height/level of the resonant plane relative to the ground plane, thereby improving antenna performance.

In at least one example, insulating material 1076 (referred to elsewhere herein as display mounting components) may extend into the space adjacent the angled surface of display cover 1022 to support the display cover and other components of display assembly 1006, including the various display layers 1024 shown. Additionally, in at least one example, a mask layer, an ink layer, or other mask layer, which may include a PVD layer, may be disposed on the lower planar surface 1086 of the display cover 1022 adjacent the sloped surface 1085. The mask may provide aesthetic features that reduce unwanted light scattering and reflection at the transition between the lower surface of the display cover 1022 and the sloped surface 1084. In at least one example, the thickness of the mask may be between about 50 microns to 150 microns, such as about 100 microns thick.

Thus, in at least one example, an electronic device described herein can include a side wall 1028 defining an opening, a display component disposed in the opening, such as display cover 1022. The display cover 1022 may include a lower beveled edge that forms a beveled surface facing the interior volume of the device. In such examples, the insulating material 1076 may contact the sloped surface of the display cover 1022, forming a sloped boundary 1078 as shown in fig. 14A.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 14A and 14B (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 14A and 14B, alone or in any combination.

Referring briefly back to the exploded view of the device shown in fig. 2, at least one example of the device 200 may include a rear cover 214 and an electromagnetically transparent member 216.

Because the wearable electronic device is in contact with the user's body during use, it may be advantageous to use the device to detect the user's body temperature (including body surface temperature and body core temperature). However, the temperature of the device and the environment in which the device is used may change from moment to moment during use, such that detecting the body core temperature of the user with the wearable device may be challenging. However, the devices described herein may overcome this challenge by incorporating more than one temperature sensor into the device at different locations and applying one or more algorithms that include as input the temperature sensed by each sensor to determine the user's body core temperature.

Fig. 15A illustrates an example of a device (e.g., wearable electronic watch device 1700). In at least one example, the electronic device 1700 can include a housing 1702 defining a front opening and a rear opening with a display component 1706 disposed at the front opening and a rear cover 1714 disposed at the rear opening. The device 1700 of fig. 15A may also include a strap retaining feature 1779 defined by the housing 1702 for securing the strap to the device 1700. When the strap is connected to the device 1700 via the strap retaining feature 1779, the device 1700 may be configured to be worn by a user, such as on the wrist of the user, with the strap securing the back cover 1714 against the skin of the user.

In such examples, device 1700 may be configured to detect a wrist or skin temperature of a user and extrapolate or detect/measure a body core temperature of the user. To do so, in at least one example, device 1700 may include two or more temperature sensors on or within device 1700. For example, the first temperature sensor 1777 may be located at, near, or adjacent to the rear cover 1714 (also referred to as the bottom or underside of the device 1700), as indicated by the lower dots shown in fig. 15A. The dots are not representations of the sensors themselves, but rather indicate the approximate location of the first temperature sensor 1777. Additionally, the device 1700 may include a second temperature sensor 1775 located at, near, or adjacent to the display component 1706 on an opposite side (also referred to as a top side of the device 1700) from the first temperature sensor.

In at least one example, a processor (not shown in fig. 15A, but disposed within the device 1700) may be electrically connected to the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature sensor 1775 and configured to determine a core body temperature of the user based on the first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 1775.

Fig. 15A shows a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus 1700 shown in fig. 15A to illustrate various internal components thereof. As shown, the device 1700 may include a housing 1702 defining a front opening and a rear opening with a display component 1706 disposed at the front opening and a rear cover 1714 disposed at the rear opening, and an interior volume. The internal components may include various processors, batteries, microphones, speakers, wires and electrical flexures, antennas, display components, and the like. Additionally, the internal components of the device 1700 may include a first PCB 1773 disposed proximate to, adjacent to, and above the back cover 1714. In at least one example, the first PCB 1773 may be adhered to the rear cover 1714. The device 1700 may also include a second PCB 1774 disposed proximate to, adjacent to, and below the display component 1706.

As shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 15B, a first temperature sensor 1777 may be disposed on the first PCB1773 and a second temperature sensor 1775 may be disposed on the second PCB 1774. In at least one example, one or more other electronic components including heat-generating electronic components may be disposed between the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature sensor 1775, or if not disposed between the temperature sensors 1777, 1775, on a portion of a defined thermal path from one temperature sensor to another through one or more internal components of the device 1700. For example, a battery 1767 may be disposed within the interior volume of the device 1700, at least partially between the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature sensor 1775.

While the first temperature sensor 1777 may be proximate to the user's wrist to determine the temperature at or proximate to the user's wrist, the device 1700 may include other internal components that may generate or absorb heat such that the system temperature of the device 1700 may affect the accuracy of measurements made on the user's wrist with the first temperature sensor 1777. Thus, in at least some examples, the device 1700 may include a second temperature sensor 1775 that accounts for the system temperature of the device 1700, and may use one or more algorithms to determine the user's body core temperature using measurements taken from both the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature sensor 1775. In at least one example, the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature sensor can be in electrical communication with each other.

In at least one example, the device 1700 can include one or more processors in electrical communication with a first temperature sensor 1777 and a second temperature sensor 1775. The one or more processors may determine the core body temperature of the user from measurements taken by both the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature sensor 1775, wherein one or more algorithms are applied to the measurements to account for the system temperature and any thermal path that exists through the device 1700 and its internal components disposed therein, some of which may be disposed between the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature sensor 1775, or if not between the temperature sensors 1777, 1775, on a portion of the defined thermal path from one temperature sensor through one or more internal components of the device 1700 to another temperature sensor. In this way, determining the core body temperature of the user may be based at least in part on heat generated by the heat generating component or the heat absorbing component or any other component disposed in the interior volume of the device 1700.

In this manner, fig. 15C shows a circuit diagram equivalent to device 1700 contacting user 1771 with the contact interface shown at 1769. The illustrated diagram identifies a temperature sensor T ₁ And T ₂ Which may be equivalent to the first temperature sensor 1777 and the second temperature sensor 1775, respectively, shown in fig. 15B. The heat transfer path from the user 1771 through the device 1700 out to the external environment can be modeled as being represented by resistor R _{Body part} 、R _{Contact with} 、R _BC 、R _1-2 And R is _FC A series of resistances is shown, as shown in FIG. 15C, where R _{Body part} Equal to the resistance of the user, R _{Contact with} Equal to the resistance of the contact interface, R _BC Equal to the measured temperature T ₁ Is a first temperature sensor T of (1) ₁ Resistance, R, of the back cover or any other component of device 1700 between (1777 in FIG. 15B) and contact interface 1769 _1-2 Equal to any resistance in the system of device 1700 including the thermal path between first temperature sensor 1777 and second temperature sensor 1775, and R _FC Equal to the measured temperature T ₂ A resistance of the display component 1706 or any other component of the device 1700 between the second temperature sensor (1775 in fig. 15B) and the external surface of the device 1700 or the external environment.

Using a slave as shown in fig. 15CThe modeled circuit diagram of the wrist through the heat flow of device 1700 may use one or more algorithms to determine the core temperature of the user. For example, for temperature T at back cover 1714 of device 1700 _BC The first algorithm for modeling may include:

T _BC ＝T ₁ +a _o (T ₁ –T ₂ )

Wherein:

a _o ＝R _BC /R _1-2

the algorithm modeling the corrected temperature may include:

T _c ＝T ₁ +c _o (T ₁ –T ₂ )

wherein:

c _o ＝a _o +h _o

and wherein:

h _o ＝R _o /R _1-2

in addition, the model may also include an autothermal constant (i.e., c ₁ 、a ₁ 、h ₁ )。

In at least one example, more than two temperature sensors may be provided in device 1700, where measurements are taken and input into one or more algorithms to determine the core body temperature of the user when device 1700 contacts the user. As described above, in at least one example, one or more power and/or heat generating components may be disposed in the interior volume of the device 1700 and at least partially between the various sensors or at least as part of the thermal pathway between the various sensors.

In at least one example, the first temperature sensor 1777 can be disposed directly against or adhered to the back cover 1714 or another portion of the housing 1702 proximate to or adjacent to or in contact with the user during use. Similarly, in at least one example, the second temperature sensor 1775 can be disposed directly against or adhered directly to the display component 1706 or other portion of the housing 1702. In at least one example, a thermally conductive adhesive (such as a thermally conductive pressure sensitive adhesive) can be used to secure the temperature sensors 1777, 1775 to another component within the interior volume of the device 1700, regardless of where each temperature sensor 1777, 1775 is disposed.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 15A-15C (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 15A-15C, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 16 shows an example PCB 1773 with a location of a temperature sensor 1777. Similar to the first PCB 1773 shown in fig. 15B, the PCB 1773 may be disposed proximate to the rear cover 1714. Fig. 26 shows a PCB 1774 similar to the second PCB shown in fig. 15B, which may be disposed proximate to the display component 1706 in the interior volume of the device 1700. In the example shown in fig. 17, two positions of temperature sensor 1775 are shown, wherein temperature sensor 1775 may be disposed on PCB 1774 to be located at or near display component 1706 of device 1700. In one example shown, a temperature sensor 1775 may be disposed on the ALS module 1765. Fig. 18 illustrates another example of the location of the temperature sensor 1775 on an example of the PCB 1774, where one example location of the temperature sensor 1775 is on the ALS module 1765 of the PCB 1774.

In at least one example, the temperature sensors 1777, 1775 described herein can be adhered or otherwise secured to a PCB or other component (including the housing 1702 of the device 1700) without any underfill material between the temperature sensors 1777, 1775 and the housing 1702 or PCB 1774. In at least one example, the temperature sensors 1777, 1775 can be mounted to the PCB 1774, the housing 1702, or other portion of the device 1700 without any packaging over the temperature sensors 1777, 1775. The absence of underfill material and/or packaging over the temperature sensors 1777, 1775 reduces the complexity and uncertainty of the thermal path between the sensors 1777, 1775 and/or between the sensors 1777, 1775 and the user's body or external environment, thus simplifying modeling and processing of the user's body core temperature.

In at least one example, as shown in fig. 19, a temperature sensor 1777 is disposed on the ALS module 1765. In at least one example, as described above, the temperature sensor 1777 may be adhered to the ALS module 1765 using SMT/solder or other adhesive or bonding medium without any encapsulation material being disposed over the temperature sensor 1777 and/or without encapsulating the temperature sensor. In such examples, to protect the temperature sensor 1777 from physical damage, one or more shields 1767a, 1767b, 1767c, and 1767d may be disposed around the temperature sensor 1777 such that during assembly or use, other components may contact the shields 1767a-d prior to contact with the temperature sensor 1777. Shields 1767a-d may vary in number, size, location, and configuration, but are generally taller than temperature sensor 1777, such that shields 1767a-d physically protect temperature sensor 1777. In at least one example, shields 1767a-d include inexpensive, non-electrically operated, or connected components. In this manner, the shields 1767a-d may mitigate contact, dent, chipping, or otherwise physically damaging during assembly or use of the device 1700 without adversely affecting the functionality of the device 1700 and the temperature sensor 1777.

In many scenarios or environments where a user may want to wear the devices disclosed herein, it may be advantageous to output high frequency, high decibel sounds to alert others to an emergency situation, such as a user falling or injury. These sounds or alarms may be referred to herein as siren alarms and/or sounds. In order to produce high frequency siren sound with typical low frequency outputs (including music, speech outputs, etc.) for normal use, at least one example of a device may include a dual speaker system as shown in fig. 20A-21. The speaker assemblies shown herein generally include two speakers that share a front volume, but have separate rear volumes associated with each speaker. In addition to the separate rear volumes, separate vents to the external environment may enable the speaker assembly to be tuned to produce clear frequencies in various high and low ranges from the individual speakers in the illustrated device 1800.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 16-19 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 16-19, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 20A illustrates an example of an electronic device 1800, which includes: an outer housing 1802 defining an inner volume 1852; a first speaker 1863 and a second speaker 1861 disposed in the interior volume 1852, the first speaker 1863 including a frame 1859 disposed around a perimeter of the diaphragm 1857 of the first speaker 1863; a front volume 1855 defined by the outer housing, the first speaker 1863, and the second speaker 1861; a first rear volume 1853 defined by a first speaker 1863 and a frame 1859; and a second rear volume 1845 defined by a second speaker 1861 and a frame 1859.

In at least one example, the electronic device 1800 can include an outer housing 1802, an inner housing 1851 spaced apart from the outer housing 1802, and a speaker assembly disposed between the inner housing 1802 and the outer housing 1851. The speaker assembly may include a first speaker 1863, a second speaker 1861, and a speaker frame 1859 supporting the first speaker 1863. The apparatus may further include a first rear volume 1853 defined by the inner housing 1851 and the first speaker 1853, and a second rear volume 1845 defined by the inner housing 1851 and the second speaker 1861, wherein the second rear volume 1845 is separated from the first rear volume 1863 by the speaker frame 1859.

Another example of the electronic device 1800 may include an outer housing 1802, an inner housing 1851, a speaker assembly including a first speaker 1863 and a second speaker 1861 disposed between the inner housing 1851 and the outer housing 1802. The device 1800 may also include a front volume 1855 defined by the outer housing 1802 and the speaker assembly, a rear volume defined by the inner housing and the speaker assembly and divided into a first isolation portion 1853 and a second isolation portion 1845, respectively. In at least one example, the device 1800 can further include a first vent 1849 defined by the housing 1802 and a second vent 1847 defined by the housing 1802 through which a first end of the front volume 1855 is in fluid communication with the external environment, and through which a second end of the front volume 1855 is in fluid communication with the external environment.

In at least one example, the front volume 1855 can be isolated from the first and second rear volumes 1853, 1845, respectively. Speakers 1863, 1861 may be disposed between the front volume 1855 and the first and second rear volumes 1853, 1845, and the frame 1859 may structurally support the first speaker 1863. In at least one example, the frame 1859 forms a hermetic seal between the first rear volume 1853 and the second rear volume 1845. Further, as described above, the inner housing 1851 can at least partially define a first rear volume 1853. For example, frame 1859 may include collar 1843 and molded seal 1841 extending from collar 1843 toward interior volume 1852 and contacting interior housing 1851 to seal first rear volume 1853 as shown behind/below first speaker 1863. Collar 1843 may include a metal ring disposed around speaker 1863 and configured to redirect magnetic flux around speaker 1863. In at least one example, the speaker frame 1859 structurally supports a second speaker 1861.

In one example, first speaker 1863 is smaller than second speaker 1861. The first speaker 1863 may be referred to as a tweeter and is configured to output sound waves at a higher frequency than the second, larger speaker 1861. Thus, to accommodate the smaller volume air displacement caused by the first speaker 1863, in at least one example, the first rear volume 1853 may be smaller than the second rear volume 1845.

In at least one example, as shown in fig. 20A and 20B, the electronic device 1800 can further include a valve 1839 disposed in an aperture defined by the inner housing 1851 to vent air from the first isolated portion 1853 of the rear volume to the inner volume 1852. In at least one example, the pressure valve 1839 may be configured to balance the pressure between the interior volume 1852 and the rear volume 1853. In at least one example, the valve 1839 may include a mesh and a channel passing through and defined by the inner housing 1851.

The shared front volume 1855 may be in fluid communication with the external environment through various vents through the outer housing 1802. The position and configuration of each vent may be designed to accommodate the siren-type frequency output by the smaller tweeter (first speaker 1863) and the lower frequency output by the second speaker 1861. In this way, the speaker assembly can clearly and effectively output a wider range of frequencies.

In at least one example, the first vent 1849 is formed by a single aperture defined by the outer housing 1802. The second vent 1847 may include two or more apertures defined by the outer housing 1802. In at least one example, the distance between any two adjacent apertures of the second vent 1847 may be less than the distance between any aperture of the second vent 1847 and a single aperture of the first vent 1849.

As described above, the arrangement and configuration of the speaker assembly of the electronic device 1800 shown in fig. 20A and 20B enables the speaker assembly to output frequencies within the normal daily use range, including music, speech, and other typical audio outputs, as well as loud high frequencies in the range above 3kHz, 3.5kHz, or even above 4.5kHz from the first smaller speaker 1863 to be used as a siren. A siren may be used in conjunction with the fall detection system of the device 1800 to alert others in the event of a fall or injury to the user. During other activities, such as during mountain riding, the siren may output a warning signal when bypassing dead corners on the roadway, or the like. The guardian mode of the device 1800 may activate a siren as an anti-attack whistle or robbery deterrent.

To fit the dual speaker assembly within the tight space between the inner housing 1851 and the outer housing 1802 of the device 1800, some of the components discussed above and shown in fig. 20A-20B are configured to interface with and be disposed with other components of the device 1800 to form a compact, space-saving device 1800. For example, the speaker assemblies shown in fig. 20A and 20B may be disposed within the device 1800 at substantially the same location as the buttons of the device such that the buttons and speaker assemblies share the same location or portion of the internal volume of the device 1800. In such examples, the button may include one or more components disposed between or with one or more components of the speaker assembly.

To accommodate the speaker assembly and button together in the same area, as shown in fig. 20C, the speaker frame 1859 can include an opening 1835 defined by the frame 1859. The openings may be positioned to receive one or more components of a button through the frame 1859. Fig. 20D shows a frame 1859 supporting first speaker 1863 and second speaker 1861 and defining an opening 1835. An opening 1835 may be defined/disposed between first speaker 1863 and second speaker 1861. As shown in fig. 20E, button 1808 may include a plunger 1837 aligned with and/or extending through an opening 1835 between first speaker 1863 and second speaker 1861.

In at least one example of the electronic device 1800, the outer housing 1802 can define an interior volume 1852 and an aperture 1833, as labeled in fig. 20B. Button 1808 may be disposed in aperture 1833. The button 1808 may include a plunger 1837 extending into or toward the interior volume 1852, and a speaker frame 1859 may be disposed in the interior volume 1852 and define an opening 1835. In such examples, the plunger may extend through the opening.

In one example, frame 1859 may structurally support first speaker 1863 and second speaker 1861. A frame 1859 may be disposed in the interior volume 1852, wherein the frame 1859 defines openings 1835 (otherwise referred to herein as "holes") between the first speaker 1863 and the second speaker 1861, respectively. In at least one example, the plunger 1837 may be aligned with the aperture/opening 1835. A portion of the interior volume 1852 between the interior housing 1851 spaced from the exterior housing 1802 can define a speaker volume that includes a front volume 1855 and a first rear volume 1853 and a second rear volume 1845, respectively. The plunger 1837 may be aligned with the aperture 1835 and extend into the speaker volume toward the inner housing 1851.

In at least one example, the speaker frame 1859 supports a first speaker 1863 and a second speaker 1861, and an opening 1835 is defined between the first speaker 1863 and the second speaker 1861. Thus, in at least one example, the plunger 1837 extends between the first speaker 1863 and the second speaker 1861. In at least one example, the plunger 1837 may extend through the front volume 1855 and into the rear volume 1845.

To block the front volume 1855 from the second rear volume 1845, the apparatus 1800 may include a gasket 1825 that surrounds the plunger 1837 and forms a fluid-tight seal between the frame 1859 and the plunger 1837. Thus, a fluid-tight seal is formed by the gasket 1825 between the front volume 1855 and the second rear volume 1845. In at least one example, the gasket can include an O-ring disposed about the plunger 1837. The plunger 1837 may define a recess in which an O-ring may be disposed and positioned between the plunger 1837 and the speaker frame 1859. The material, size, and shape of the O-ring 1825 may be selected to keep the fluid from within the volume surrounding the speakers 1863, 1861 and to adjust the feel experienced by the user when pressing the button 1808.

In addition, when the button is pressed downward, the plunger may make contact with an electrical contact 1823 provided on the inner housing, as shown in at least fig. 20F. The plunger is aligned with the electrical contact 1823 such that when the button 1808 is pressed downward during operation, an electrical path or circuit can be completed between the plunger 1837 and the electrical contact 1823. Thus, the plunger may comprise or be formed of an electrically conductive material.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 20A-20F (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 20A-20F, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 20G shows a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the device 1800, which shows a viewing plane orthogonal to the cross-sectional viewing plane of fig. 20F and extending through the plunger 1837. Fig. 20G shows the button 1808, plunger 1837 extending through aperture 1835 defined by speaker frame 1859, and electrical contact 1823 against which the lower surface of plunger 1837 presses or contacts (as shown) when button 1808 is depressed to complete an electrical circuit between plunger 1837 and electrical contact 1823. When button 1808 is not depressed, plunger 1837 and electrical contact 1823 are separated such that there is no electrical connection therebetween. The electrical contact 1823 may also be referred to herein as a "tact switch" or "tac switch".

the tac switch 1823 may be electrically coupled and/or physically contact the electrical flex 1804, which is disposed partially on a top surface of the inner housing 1851 and extends between the tac switch 1823 and the inner housing 1851 at least partially below the tac switch 1823. The pliable component 1804 may extend around the edge of the inner housing 1851 and continue below or above a lower surface opposite the top surface of the inner housing 1851, as shown. In one example, the bend formed in the flexible member 1804 as it wraps around the edge of the inner housing 1851 from one surface to the other surface biases the portion of the flexible member 1804 disposed between the tac switch 1823 and the inner housing 1851 away from the inner housing 1851 by itself.

To counteract this biasing force away from the inner housing 1851, the apparatus 1800 can include a base 1806 that presses down on the flexible member 1804 to hold the flexible member 1804 in position between the tac switch 1823 and the inner housing 1851, as shown in fig. 20G. The base 1806 may be a molded plastic or other non-conductive material anchored to the speaker frame 1859, the inner housing 1851, or other components to create a force by which the base 1806 presses the flexible member 1804 against the inner housing, as shown. In at least one example, the base 1806 can also engage the tac switch 1823 such that the base 1806 presses the tac switch against or toward the pliable component 1804 and/or the inner housing 1851. Additionally or alternatively, one or more adhesives or adhesive layers may be disposed between the flexible circuit 1804 and the inner housing 1851, between the tac switch 1823 and the flexible circuit 1804, and/or between the tac switch 1823 and the inner housing 1851 to maintain the flexible member 1804 and the tac switch 1823 in the position as shown in fig. 20G.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 20G (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 20G, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 20H shows another example of a portion of device 1800, including button 1808 and button spring 1810. In at least one example, button spring 1810 can include an upwardly extending spring arm 1812 secured to button 1808. Button spring 1810 (and in particular spring arm 1812) may be formed of an electrically conductive material including metal to provide an upward biasing force against button 1808. Button spring 1810 may include a lower portion 1814 anchored to speaker housing 1859 or other components of device 1800 with respect to which button 1808 moves when pressed. In at least one example, button spring 1810 provides a constant force to maintain the upper/outer surface of button 1808 flush with the outer surface of housing 1802 of device 1800 (not shown in fig. 20H, but shown in at least fig. 20A and 20B). The material, shape, length of spring arm 1814, and other factors of button spring 1810, may be adjusted to alter the tactile response of button 1808 when pressed by a user.

Referring briefly to fig. 20A, when button 1808 is not depressed, an electrical ground path may be formed by one or more screws 1816 contacting a portion of housing 1802. Thus, the screw 1816 and the housing 1802 may be formed of a conductive material. The screws 1816 may serve as stop features or fiducials that contact the inner surface of the housing 1802 to prevent the button 1808 from extending beyond the housing 1802 and to maintain the outer surface flush with the housing 1802. Referring again to fig. 20H, when button 1808 is partially depressed, screw 1816 is separated from housing 1802, but plunger 1837, which is also in electrical communication with button 1808, has not yet been in electrical contact with tac switch 1823.

As shown in fig. 20I, in this partially depressed position of button 1808, button spring 1810 may form an electrical ground path between a ground member or plane of device 1800 and the button. Button spring 1810 may form such a ground path with button 1808 regardless of whether button 1808 is fully depressed to bring the plunger into contact with tac switch 1823, as described above, or not. The lower portion 1814 of the button spring 1810 may be in electrical contact or coupled to a collar 1818, which may be coupled to ground or one or more other components that form a ground path. Spring arm 1812 may contact button 1808, as shown in fig. 20H, to complete access to button 1808.

In at least one example, the lower portion 1814 of the button spring 1810 defines an aperture 1820 through which the plunger 1837 extends. In at least one example, lower portion 1814 of button spring 1810 forms a bend 1822 that biases portions of button spring 1810 on either side of bend 1822 away from each other, thereby facilitating an upward force from button spring 1810. For example, the bend 1822 may bias a first portion 1824 on one side of the bend 1822 away from a second portion 1826 on the other side of the bend 1822.

In at least one example, first portion 1824 contacts or extends into housing 1802 at 1828 to complete an electrical path from button 1808 through button spring 1810 to housing 1802. Further, in at least one example, collar 1818 defines an aperture 1830, and an anti-rotation feature or extension 1832 of second portion 1826 may extend through aperture 1830 or at least partially into aperture 1830 to prevent button spring 1810 from rotating out of position when button 1808 is pressed and moved up and down during use. In at least one example, the anti-rotation feature 1832 engages the collar 1818 without adhesive. Typically, the button springs may be placed and secured in place as shown without adhesive. The area or volume in which button spring 1810 is disposed may include the area between inner housing 1851 and outer housing 1802 such that any adhesive present may be exposed to chemical intrusions from the external environment (e.g., through various vents defined by the housing, including first vent 1849 and second vent 1847, respectively). Thus, button spring 1810 may be fixed in place via anti-rotation feature 1832, an interface with housing 1802 at 1828, and/or an interface with button 1808.

In at least one example, the device 1800 can include a gasket 1834 disposed between the button 1808 or button cap and the plunger 1837. In at least one example, the spacer 1834 may comprise a more resilient or compressible material than the button 1808 and/or plunger 1837. In one example, the button 1808 and plunger 1837 comprise a conductive metal and the washer 1834 comprises a plastic or rubber material. A washer 1834 may be disposed between and in contact with the plunger 1837 and the button 1808, as shown, such that the washer 1834 causes the washer 1834 to absorb forces and movements from the plunger 1837 and button 1808 as the components of the speakers 1863, 1861 vibrate and the pressure sound waves strike the plunger 1837 and button 1808, the washer 1834 reducing rattle or buzzing caused by the plunger 1837 and button 1808 vibrating against each other. In at least one example, the spacer 1834 may include an elastic material. In at least one example, the spacer 1834 may include a compressible material. In at least one example, the compressible material may include foam.

Referring back to fig. 20H, the device 1800 may include speaker nets 1836a, 1836b disposed over speakers 1863, 1861, respectively. Each screw 1816 of button 1808 may include a lower surface 1838 facing the screw heads of webs 1836 a-b. The lower surface 1838 may be chamfered. The webs 1836a-b may be recessed to match or accommodate the curvature of the lower surface 1838 of the screw 1816. The concave geometry of the webs 1836a-b may provide additional space or volume into which the screws 1816 may extend toward the web 1836 without the screws 1816 and the webs 1836a-b coming into contact or collision when the button 1808 is pressed. In addition, speaker meshes 1836a, 1836b may include any number of stacked meshes having different apertures and materials. The pore size may be identified and selected to balance resistance to foreign material ingress, aesthetic benefits, water jet, and acoustic performance. In some examples, the speaker mesh may both be metallic and welded to the device 1800. In other examples, the mesh may be metal, fabric, polymer, or a combination thereof, and may be attached to the device 1800 by adhesive, fasteners, welding, or other connection methods, or the like.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 20A-20I (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 20A-20I, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 20J shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device 1800 including a button 1808 disposed in an aperture 1833 defined by the housing 1802 and a speaker diaphragm 1836 disposed in an interior volume of the device 1800. The speaker membrane 1836, button 1808, and housing 1802 may define a front volume 1855, also shown and labeled in fig. 20A. In at least one example, the device 1800 can include an acoustic gasket 1840 extending between the button 1808 and the housing 1802. In at least one example, the gasket 1840 is greater than or equal to about 100 microns thick where the gasket 1840 contacts the housing 1802. In at least one example, an upper surface of the washer 1840 meets a vertical surface of the housing 1802 defining the aperture 1833 at an angle greater than 0 degrees (e.g., at least about 20 degrees or more) relative to a horizontal plane orthogonal to the surface of the housing 1802 defining the aperture 1833. In at least one example, the gasket includes an elastic material. In at least one example, the gasket 1840 includes a material having a shore a hardness of between about 30A and 90A, or between about 40A and 80A, or between about 50A and 70A (e.g., about 60A).

Thus, with the washer 1840 having the dimensions and material characteristics described above, the washer 1840 may maintain and rebound to its resting shape after the button 1808 is pressed by a user. In addition, depending on the dimensions and material characteristics described above, the gasket 1840 may seal the front volume 1855 such that a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure outside of the apparatus 1800 may be created. In this way, the volume of first speaker 1863 may be increased. In at least one example, the material properties, shape, and dimensions of the gasket 1840 may be adjusted to maximize at least one of the resonant frequencies of the first speaker 1863. In at least one example, the gasket 1840 is permeable to water but impermeable to dust and debris from the external environment.

First speaker 1863 may include two peak resonant frequencies, namely a mechanical resonant frequency created by the shape of first speaker 1863 itself operating in an open space, and a front port resonance utilizing the length of first vent 1849 as a tube that creates a higher tonal frequency and causes sound to exit first speaker 1863 through housing 1802. The pressure created in the front volume 1855 due in part to the seal formed by the gasket 1840 affects the pressure wave of sound from the first speaker 1863 exiting the first vent 1849. In this way, the gasket 1840 may adjust the sound from the first speaker 1863 and increase the resonant tube frequency. In this way, multiple resonance frequencies (mechanical and tube) can be utilized, and a wider range of sound frequencies can be increased.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 20J (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 20J, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 20K shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device 1800 including a button 1808, a housing 1802, and a gasket 1840 extending between the housing 1808 and the button 1802. Button 1808 may include an outer color layer 1842 that may be formed by physical vapor deposition. Color layer 1842 may also be referred to as PVD layer 1842. The PVD layer may extend over a first surface 1844 that is curved at a first angle or with a first curvature and a second surface 1848 that is at a second angle different from the angle of the first surface 1844. During the PVD process of forming PVD layer 1842, PVD layer 1842 can be deposited onto button 1808 in a constant direction, regardless of the curvature, angle, or portion of the surface being deposited, in order to simplify the PVD process. In one example, the deposition direction is indicated by deposition direction 1850.

Because the first angle of first surface 1844 is different than the second angle of second surface 1848, PVD layer 1842 deposited on first surface 1844 is formed thicker than PVD layer 1842 of second surface 1848 with respect to deposition direction 1850. This may be due to the steeper angle of the second surface 1848 relative to the horizontal plane of fig. 20K orthogonal to the deposition direction 1850. As shown, PVD layer 1842 of second surface 1848 is thinner than PVD layer 1842 of first surface 1844 due to the difference in angle relative to deposition direction 1850. The thickness of PVD layer 1842 affects the color of PVD layer 1842. In one example, the thicker PVD layer 1842 at the first surface 1848 may appear red, while the transition between the first surface 1844 and the second surface 1844 or the color of the PVD layer 1842 at the corner surface 1846 may appear blue, and the color of the thinner PVD layer 1842 of the second surface 1848 may be turned toward red, for example, orange or red-orange. The thickness of PVD layer 1842 at corner 1846 may be thicker than PVD layer 1842 at second surface 1848, but thinner than PVD layer 1842 at first surface 1844.

In the above example, the blue color of PVD layer 1842 at corner 1846 is more visually prominent than the orange color of PVD layer 1842 at second surface 1848 as compared to the red color of PVD layer 1842 at first surface 1844. To minimize the contrast of blue and red between the corner 1846 and the first surface 1844, the corner 1846 may include a small radius of curvature to minimize the area of the surface of the button 1808 defined by the corner 1846. Although PVD layer 1842 at second surface 1848 is thinner than PVD layer 1842 at corner 1846, the orange color of PVD layer 1842 at second surface 1848 is more nearly red and less visually contrasting or noticeable. Accordingly, the angle of second surface 1848 may be selected to adjust the thickness of PVD layer 1842 on second surface 1848 relative to the thickness of PVD layer 1842 of first surface 1842 in order to minimize color differences.

In at least one example, the second surface 1848 is at an angle between about 1 degree and 10 degrees relative to the deposition direction 1850, or between about 3 degrees and about 7 degrees relative to the deposition direction 1850, for example about 5 degrees relative to the deposition angle 1850. In this way, the thickness of PVD layer 1842 at second surface 1848 may be less than about 50% or less than the thickness of PVD layer 1842 of first surface 1844. In examples where PVD layer 1842 at second surface 1848 is less than about 50% of the thickness of PVD layer 1842 at first surface, the color difference between first surface 1844 and PVD layer 1842 of second surface 1848 may be visually minimized.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 20K (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 20K, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 21 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in fig. 20A-20F, where 1852 shows the interior volume of the device, and 1802 is the outer housing. During manufacture, to simplify machining of the housing 1802, an angled receiving cavity for a speaker assembly may be machined into the inner surface of the housing 1802 so that a machining tool may reach a desired point in the housing to machine the cavity. Thus, in at least one example, the speaker assembly (including speaker 1863 shown in fig. 21) can be disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane 1831 of the device 1800. In one example, the angle of the speaker angle θ may be between about 5 degrees and 10 degrees, such as about 7.5 degrees, from the horizontal plane 1831 of the device 1800, and the angle of the cavity angle β beyond the speaker angle θ may be between about 7 degrees and 13 degrees, such as about 10 degrees.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 21 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 21, alone or in any combination.

As described above, the wearable electronic devices described herein may be configured to be used during any daily activities of the user. Typically, the wearable device will rub against other objects (including clothing) or will be affected by wind if outdoors during use. In general, these types of interactions (including rubbing, scraping, and blowing) may adversely affect the performance of one or more microphones of the device. For example, some wearable devices may include a microphone to receive a user's voice during a cellular call made using the device. However, in general when speaking in an external environment in the presence of wind, the wind may cause undesirable noise as it passes through the device and in particular as it passes through one or more microphone apertures in the housing of the device, which may produce undesirable background noise and unclear speech transmission from the device.

For example, as shown in fig. 22, a user wears a wearable electronic watch 1900 on his/her wrist while riding a bicycle. This activity causes wind to pass over and contact the device 1900. The same may be true when walking, jogging, hiking, or performing any other active and/or outdoor activities. Fig. 23 shows an apparatus 1900 that is affected by wind flowing toward and around the apparatus 1900. Flow line 1919 illustrates one possible flow path of wind through device 1900. In some examples, turbulence 1921 may be generated at one or more sides of the device 1900. Such wind and turbulence may travel over certain components or openings, reach the microphone and speaker of the device 1900, and cause undesirable noise when transmitting the user's voice during a cellular call or when recording his or her voice with the device 1900.

The degree of such noise interference from the wind may vary depending on the location of the microphone and the direction of the wind. As described above, the principles discussed with respect to wind interference may also be applicable to other types of interference, such as water and moisture interference and rubbing or scraping of the device 1900 with other objects (such as clothing). Fig. 24 shows wind 1919 from various directions around the device 1900. Locations 1917a, 1917b, 1917c and 1917d on the device 1900 show potential locations of microphones of the device 1900. Also, the degree of noise interference from the wind may vary depending on the location of the microphone and the direction of the wind, and these directions and locations may vary from moment to moment during use.

To reduce interference from wind and other objects, the wearable electronic device of the present systems and methods may include three microphones disposed in an interior volume of the device and configured to receive sound through three respective apertures. The location and orientation of the apertures and microphones may be such that when one or both of the microphones may be disturbed by wind during use, at least one of the microphones and apertures will be positioned and oriented to receive less disturbing noise. In such a configuration, the device may be configured to process the combined noise detected by all three microphones to reduce the noise. In one example, the device may be configured to rely more heavily on microphones that receive less interference noise so that the detected noise is clear and immune to interference noise caused by wind.

In at least one example, as shown in fig. 25, the wearable electronic watch 2000 can include a housing sidewall 2028 defining an interior volume 2052, wherein the sidewall 2028 extends 360 degrees circumferentially around the interior volume 2052. The sidewall 2028 may also define a first aperture 2015, a second aperture 2013 between about 155 degrees and 205 degrees relative to the first aperture 2015, and a third aperture 2011 closer to the second aperture 2013 than to the first aperture 2015.

Additionally, the apparatus 2000 may include: a first microphone 2009 disposed in the interior volume 2052 and configured to receive sound through the first aperture 2015; a second microphone 2007 disposed in the interior volume 2052 and configured to receive sound through the second aperture 2013; and a third microphone 2005 disposed in the interior volume 2052 and configured to receive sound through the third aperture 2011.

In one example, the device 2000 may include a first tape receiving feature 2001 and a second tape receiving feature 2003 opposite the first tape receiving feature 2001. The first sidewall portion 2004 may extend between the first strap receiving feature 2001 and the second strap receiving feature 2003, wherein the first sidewall portion 2004 defines a first aperture 2015 that is closer to the first strap receiving feature 2001 than to the second strap receiving feature 2003. Further, one example may include a second sidewall portion 2006 disposed opposite the first sidewall portion 2004 and extending between the first strap receiving feature 2001 and the second strap receiving feature 2003, the second sidewall portion 2006 defining a second aperture 2013 and a third aperture 2011, the second aperture 2013 being defined closer to the second strap receiving feature 2003 than to the first strap receiving feature 2001. In such examples, as shown in fig. 25, the device 2000 may include a first microphone 2009 disposed in the interior volume 2052 adjacent to the first aperture 2015, a second microphone 2007 disposed in the interior volume 2052 adjacent to the second aperture 2013, and a third microphone 2005 disposed in the interior volume 2052 adjacent to the third aperture 2011. Although the present system is described as detecting noise and wind from various side directions, the present system may also include microphones oriented to detect sound and wind from various directions, including into and out of the page shown in fig. 24.

In one example, as shown in fig. 25, the electronic device 2000 may include a fourth aperture 2008. The first microphone 2009 may be disposed in the interior volume 2052 adjacent to the first aperture 2015, the second microphone 2007 may be disposed in the interior volume 2052 adjacent to the second aperture 2013, and the third microphone 2005 may be disposed in the interior volume 2052 adjacent to the third aperture 2011. In addition, the speaker 2010 may be disposed in the interior volume 2052 adjacent to the fourth aperture 2015 such that a distance along the sidewall 2028 between the first aperture 2015 and the second aperture 2013 is greater than a distance along the sidewall 2028 between the second aperture 2013 and the third aperture 2011, and the fourth aperture 2008 is adjacent to the first aperture 2008.

In at least one example, the second aperture 2013 and the third aperture 2011 may be defined on a distal side of the wearable electronic watch. The distal side of the wearable electronic watch 2000 may include or be defined by a second sidewall portion 2006, where the term "distal" refers to the anatomical distal side when worn on the wrist of a user. In other words, the distal side of wearable electronic watch 2000 includes the side that faces the user's hand when worn. Conversely, the proximal side of the wearable electronic watch 2000 may include or be defined by a first sidewall portion 2004, where the term "proximal" refers to the anatomical proximal side when worn on the wrist of a user. In other words, the proximal side of the wearable electronic watch 200 includes the side that faces the forearm of the user when worn. In at least one example, the first aperture 2015 can be defined on a proximal side of the wearable electronic watch 2000.

In at least one example, the second aperture 2013 may be defined between about 170 degrees and 190 degrees relative to the first aperture 2015. In such examples, the third aperture 2011 may be defined as being between about 30 degrees and 60 degrees along the sidewall 2028 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the second aperture 2013. In one example, the third aperture 2011 may be defined as being between about 40 degrees and 50 degrees along the sidewall 2028 in a counterclockwise direction relative to the second aperture 2013.

In at least one example of wearable electronic watch 2000, sidewall 2028 defines strap receiving feature 2001 as being between first aperture 2015 and second aperture 2013. The sidewall 2028 may also define a second strap receiving feature 2003 opposite the first strap receiving feature 2001 and between the third aperture 2011 and the first aperture 2015. In at least one example, the first aperture 2015 can be defined closer to the first strap receiving feature 2001 than to the second strap receiving feature 2003, and the second aperture 2013 can be defined closer to the second strap receiving feature 2003 than to the first strap receiving feature 2001. In one example, a third aperture 2011 may be defined between the second aperture 2013 and the first strap receiving feature 2001.

In at least one example, the third aperture 2011 is defined as being between about 30 degrees and 60 degrees along the housing sidewall 2028 and the second aperture 2013 in a counterclockwise direction. The first aperture 2015 may be defined as being between about 170 degrees and 190 degrees along the housing sidewall 2028 and the second aperture 2013. In at least one example, the first aperture 2015 can be defined proximal with respect to the first and second strap receiving features 2001, 2003, and the second and third apertures 2013, 2011 can be defined distal with respect to the first and second strap receiving features 2001, 2003.

In at least one example, the first microphone 2009 may be oriented to receive sound from a first direction and the second microphone 2007 may be oriented to receive sound from a second direction different from the first direction. In one example, the second direction may be opposite to the first direction. In such examples, the first aperture 2015 and the fourth aperture 2008 may be defined on a proximal side of the electronic device 2000. In such examples, the second aperture 2013 and the third aperture 2011 may be defined on a distal side of the electronic device 2000.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 22-25 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 22-25, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 26 illustrates another example of a wearable electronic device 2100 that includes sidewalls 2128 that define an interior volume 2152 and first, second, and third apertures 2115, 2113, 2111, respectively. The first microphone 2109 is disposed in the interior volume 2152 adjacent the first aperture 2115 and is configured to receive sound through the first aperture 2115. The second microphone 2107 is disposed in the interior volume 2152 adjacent the second aperture 2113 and is configured to receive sound through the second aperture 2113. The third microphone 2105 is disposed in the interior volume 2152 adjacent the third aperture 2111 and is configured to receive sound through the third aperture 2111. In the example shown in fig. 26, apertures 2115, 2113, and 2111 are defined by distal sidewall portions 2106 between first and second strap receiving features 2101 and 2103, respectively.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 26 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 26, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 27 shows another example of a wearable electronic device 2200 that includes side walls 2228 that define an internal volume 2252 and first and second apertures 2215 and 2213, respectively. The first microphone 2209 is disposed in the interior volume 2252 adjacent the first aperture 2215 and is configured to receive sound through the first aperture 2215. The second microphone 2207 is disposed in the interior volume 2252 adjacent the second aperture 2213 and is configured to receive sound through the second aperture 2213. In the example shown in fig. 27, the apertures 2215 are defined by proximal sidewall portions 2204 between the first and second strap receiving features 2201, 2203, respectively. The second aperture 2213 is defined by a distal sidewall portion 2206 between the first and second strap receiving features 2201, 2203, respectively.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 27 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 27, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 28 illustrates another example of a wearable electronic device 2300 that includes side walls 2328 that define an interior volume 2352 and first and second apertures 2313, 2311, respectively. The first microphone 2307 is disposed in the interior volume 2352 adjacent the first aperture 2313 and is configured to receive sound through the first aperture 2313. The second microphone 2305 is disposed in the interior volume 2352 adjacent the second aperture 2311 and is configured to receive sound through the second aperture 2311. In the example shown in fig. 28, apertures 2312 and 2111 are defined by distal sidewall portions 2306 between first strap receiving feature 2301 and second strap receiving feature 2303, respectively.

Any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in fig. 28 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts illustrated in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts illustrated in fig. 28, alone or in any combination.

In each of the examples shown in fig. 25-28, the device may be configured to receive a plurality of audio signals from a plurality of microphones through a plurality of apertures and process the plurality of audio signals and identify the microphone with the lowest perceived wind noise. The microphone may be used as a baseline and data may be extracted from other locations to process the clear audio signal. This may improve the audio transmission and detection performance in windy conditions when the device is rubbed against another object, or when one or more microphone orifices are blocked by debris and/or liquid.

Fig. 29A shows a bottom elevation view of an example of a rear cover 1114 and an electromagnetically transparent member 1116 assembled together to form a rear side or surface of the device 1100. In at least one example, the rear cover 1114 can be secured to the side wall 1128 of the device 1100.

In at least one example, the rear cover 1114 can be secured to the side walls 1128 using one or more fasteners 1192. In the example shown in fig. 29A, four fasteners 1192 are used to secure the rear cover 1114 to the side walls 1128, with one fastener 1192 provided at each corner of the apparatus 1100. Using the fasteners shown, the rear cover 1114 (which in some examples may be made of ceramic, glass, or other brittle material) may be secured to the side walls 1128 without breaking, separating from the side walls 1128, or otherwise being damaged during assembly.

In at least one example, the back cover 1114 may include zirconia or other brittle materials that are difficult to form complex connection features by CNC machining. Securing the rear cover 1114 to the side walls 1128 of the device 1100 using the fasteners shown in the drawings may simplify the geometry of the rear cover 1114 in order to simplify its manufacturing process. For example, as shown in the cross-sectional view of fig. 15B, the rear cover 1114 may be formed by a simple geometry that extends around the electromagnetically transparent member 1116 and defines through holes 1194 for each fastener 1192 to pass through.

In at least one example, each fastener 1192 can be disposed through the rear cover 1114 at a distance from an outer peripheral edge of the rear cover 1114 such that sufficient material is present between the fastener 1192 and the outer peripheral edge of the rear cover 1114 to prevent the rear cover from breaking between the fastener and the outer edge. This distance is also designed to reduce any stress concentrations in the rear cover 1114 during and after assembly when the fasteners 1192 press the material of the rear cover 1114 against the side walls 1128.

As shown in fig. 30 and 31, in at least one example, the through-hole 1194 defined by the back cover 1114 may include a counterbore in which the head 1196 of the fastener 1192 is disposed when assembled. Additionally, in at least one example, the head 1196 of the fastener 1192 can include an outwardly extending flange 1198 wherein a washer 1199 is compressed between the flange 1198 and the rear cover 1114. In one example, the fastener 1192 may include a threaded screw. When assembled, the threaded screw may be threaded into the threaded receiving bore defined by the side wall 1128 such that the head 1196 of the fastener 1192 presses the rear cover 1114 against the side wall 1128.

The flange 1198 thus presses against the gasket 1199, thereby forming an environmental seal to prevent external moisture and other debris from entering the through bore 1194. Such an environmental seal may also reduce corrosion of the fastener itself, as it prevents water or other moisture/fluid from entering the through-holes 1194 and coming into contact with the fastener 1192 disposed within the through-holes 1194. Fig. 31 shows an O-ring seal 1197 instead of the washer shown in the example of fig. 30, and fig. 32 shows a side view of a fastener 1192 with a washer 1199 disposed below a flange 1198.

Any of the features, components, portions shown in fig. 29A-32 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and portions shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 29A-32, alone or in any combination.

In at least one example, as shown in fig. 33A, the fastener 1292 can include an external eave feature 1295 defined by a ledge 1298 on the underside of the head 1296 that is configured to laterally constrain an O-ring or gasket when the fastener 1292 is pressed down on the O-ring or gasket. Fig. 33B shows an example of an O-ring 1297 disposed in an external eave feature 1295. 33A and 33B, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 33A and 33B, alone or in any combination.

Fig. 34 shows a pentagonal punch 1393 recessed into the top surface of the head 1396 of the fastener 1392, with a convex transition edge between each of the five points of the punch shape. Fig. 35 shows a pentagonal punch 1493 recessed into the top surface of the head 1496 of the fastener 1492 having five pits to form the clover shape of the punch 1493. These punches 1393, 1493 can provide an aesthetically pleasing punch design as well as tool specific mating features for assembly and disassembly that increase surface area and engagement for secure fastening and safe removal thereof.

Further, as shown in the top and side views of fig. 36A and 36B, respectively, the top surface of fastener head 1596 can include patterns and lines 1591 to further improve the aesthetic appeal of fastener 1592, as well as other fasteners described herein and shown in other figures, while improving surface engagement and safe removal of the fasteners described above. In at least one example, line 1591 may be scored, machined, etched, or otherwise physically formed into the surface of head 1596. As shown in the side view of fig. 36B, a line or scoring feature 1591 may be formed to a particular depth into the head 1596 of the fastener 1592.

Fig. 37 illustrates a flow chart of a method 1600 of forming the score line and/or machined feature 1591 illustrated in fig. 36A and 36B. In a first step of method 1600, 50 degree features are machined or otherwise formed at a depth of approximately 0.01mm in the surface. Next, in step 1687 of method 1600, the feature may be widened to about 130 degrees at the same depth. Next, at step 1685, the depth of the feature may be increased to about 0.05mm to form about 45 degree features. Then, at step 1683, the feature can be widened to about 60 degrees at the same depth of about 0.05 mm. Next, the depth of the features may be increased to about 0.10mm to form about 45 degree features. The angle and depth dimensions shown in fig. 37 and described herein are exemplary only, and may be varied to form features of different sizes, shapes, numbers, and depths. In general, the depth and angle of the features may be repeatedly widened and deepened as described until the desired depth and angle of each feature is achieved.

Any of the features, components, portions shown in fig. 33A-37 (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in any of the other examples of devices, features, components, and portions shown in the other figures, alone or in any combination. Likewise, any of the features, components, and/or parts shown in the other figures (including arrangements and configurations thereof) may be included in the examples of devices, features, components, and parts shown in fig. 33A-37, alone or in any combination.

Wearable electronic devices currently on the market (including current wearable electronic watches) are not able to accurately detect ambient pressure in both submerged and above-water environments. Typically, this is because the pressure scale between the air pressure on water and the fluid pressure under water is very different. It may be particularly difficult to configure a single pressure sensor into such a device that is sensitive enough to detect changes in air pressure on water, but robust enough to detect pressure changes under water, for example pressures up to 10 bar under water.

However, the devices of the present disclosure (including the wearable electronic devices and watches described herein) may include a single pressure sensor for detecting pressures up to 10 bar above and below water. In at least one example, the pressure sensor may be electrically connected to the ASIC switching device and associated circuitry and processor to switch the pressure scale when a high pressure is detected when the device is submerged under water.

For example, such ASIC circuits connected to the sensor may include a low gain mode to measure depth and a high gain mode to measure depth and height. This gain variation can be switched with an ASIC to adjust the sensor between water and air sensitivity. The processor of the device may also receive temperature measurements from the temperature sensor of the device to account for the temperature of the external environment, which may affect pressure sensor readings and sensitivity. In this manner, at least one example of such a device may also include a heater for applying heat to the pressure sensor in order to perform a health check on the sensor, thereby calibrating the sensor to its initial calibration, the calibration being performed or set at the same temperature as the sensor is heated by the heater.

Within the limits applicable to the present technology, the collection and use of data from various sources may be used to improve the delivery of heuristic content or any other content to the user that may be of interest to the user. The present disclosure contemplates that in some examples, such collected data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or may be used to contact or locate a particular person. Such personal information data may include demographic data location-based data, telephone number, email address, and method for determining a location of a mobile device,ID. A home address, data or records related to the health or wellness level of the user (e.g., vital sign measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information.

The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data in the present technology may be used to benefit users. For example, the personal information data may be used to deliver targeted content of greater interest to the user. Thus, the use of such personal information data enables a user to have programmatic control over the delivered content. In addition, the present disclosure contemplates other uses for personal information data that are beneficial to the user. For example, health and fitness data may be used to provide insight into the overall health of a user, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue health goals.

The present disclosure contemplates that entities responsible for collecting, analyzing, disclosing, transmitting, storing, or otherwise using such personal information data will adhere to established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should exercise and adhere to privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining the privacy and security of personal information data. Such policies should be readily accessible to the user and should be updated as the collection and/or use of the data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legal and reasonable use by entities and not shared or sold outside of these legal uses. In addition, such collection/sharing should be performed after informed consent is received from the user. In addition, such entities should consider taking any necessary steps to defend and secure access to such personal information data and to ensure that others having access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. In addition, such entities may subject themselves to third party evaluations to prove compliance with widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adjusted to collect and/or access specific types of personal information data and to suit applicable laws and standards including specific considerations of jurisdiction. For example, in the united states, the collection or acquisition of certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state law, such as the health insurance flow and liability act (HIPAA); while health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be processed accordingly. Thus, different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country.

In spite of the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which a user selectively prevents use or access to personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware elements and/or software elements may be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, with respect to advertisement delivery services, the present technology may be configured to allow a user to choose to "opt-in" or "opt-out" to participate in the collection of personal information data during or at any time after registration with the service. In another example, the user may choose not to provide mood-related data for the targeted content delivery service. In another example, the user may choose to limit the length of time that the mood-related data is maintained, or to completely prohibit development of the underlying mood state. In addition to providing the "opt-in" and "opt-out" options, the present disclosure also contemplates providing notifications related to accessing or using personal information. For example, the user may be notified that his personal information data will be accessed when the application is downloaded, and then be reminded again just before the personal information data is accessed by the application.

Further, it is an object of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use. Once the data is no longer needed, risk can be minimized by limiting the data collection and deleting the data. In addition, and when applicable, included in certain health-related applications, the data de-identification may be used to protect the privacy of the user. De-identification may be facilitated by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of stored data (e.g., collecting location data at a city level instead of at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data among users), and/or other methods, as appropriate.

Thus, while the present disclosure broadly covers the use of personal information data to implement one or more of the various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments may be implemented without accessing such personal information data. That is, various embodiments of the present technology do not fail to function properly due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, the content may be selected and delivered to the user by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or absolute minimum amount of personal information such as content requested by a device associated with the user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery service, or publicly available information.

For purposes of explanation, the foregoing descriptions use specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above teachings.

Claims

1. A wearable electronic watch, comprising:

a housing having a sidewall defining:

an interior volume, the sidewall extending 360 degrees circumferentially around the interior volume;

a first orifice;

a second aperture between about 155 degrees and 205 degrees relative to the first aperture; and

a third aperture, the third aperture being closer to the second aperture than to the first aperture; and

a first microphone disposed in the interior volume and configured to receive sound through the first aperture;

a second microphone disposed in the interior volume and configured to receive sound through the second aperture; and

a third microphone is disposed in the interior volume and configured to receive sound through the third aperture.

2. The wearable electronic watch of claim 1, wherein the second aperture and the third aperture are defined on a distal side of the wearable electronic watch.

3. The wearable electronic watch of claim 2, wherein the first aperture is defined on a proximal side of the wearable electronic watch.

4. The wearable electronic watch of claim 3, wherein the second aperture is defined to be between about 170 degrees and 190 degrees relative to the first aperture.

5. The wearable electronic watch of claim 4, wherein the third aperture is defined as being between about 30 degrees and 60 degrees along the sidewall in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the second aperture.

6. The wearable electronic watch of claim 5, wherein the third aperture is defined as being between about 40 degrees and 50 degrees along the sidewall at an angle relative to the second aperture in a counter-clockwise direction.

7. The wearable electronic watch of claim 1, wherein the sidewall defines a band-receiving feature located between the first aperture and the second aperture.

8. The wearable electronic watch of claim 7, wherein:

the strap receiving feature is a first strap receiving feature; and is also provided with

The sidewall also defines a second strap receiving feature opposite the first strap receiving feature and between the third aperture and the first aperture.

9. A wearable electronic device, comprising:

A housing sidewall defining:

an internal volume;

a first strap receiving feature;

a second belt receiving feature opposite the first belt receiving feature;

a first sidewall portion extending between the first and second belt receiving features, the first sidewall portion defining a first aperture that is closer to the first belt receiving feature than to the second belt receiving feature;

a second sidewall portion disposed opposite the first sidewall portion and extending between the first and second belt receiving features, the second sidewall portion defining a second aperture and a third aperture, the second aperture being defined closer to the second belt receiving feature than to the first belt receiving feature;

a first microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the first aperture;

a second microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the second aperture; and

a third microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the third aperture.

10. The wearable electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first sidewall portion defines a proximal side of the wearable electronic device and the second sidewall portion defines a distal side of the wearable electronic device.

11. The wearable electronic device of claim 10, wherein:

the first aperture is defined closer to the first belt receiving feature than to the second belt receiving feature; and is also provided with

The second aperture is defined closer to the second strap receiving feature than to the first strap receiving feature.

12. The wearable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the third aperture is defined between the second aperture and the first strap receiving feature.

13. The wearable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the third aperture is defined as being between about 30 degrees and 60 degrees along the housing sidewall and the second aperture in a counter-clockwise direction.

14. The wearable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first aperture is defined as being between about 170 degrees and 190 degrees along the housing sidewall from the second aperture.

15. The wearable electronic device of claim 9, wherein:

the first aperture is defined proximally relative to the first and second strap receiving features; and is also provided with

The second aperture and the third aperture are defined distally relative to the first strap receiving feature and the second strap receiving feature.

16. An electronic device, comprising:

a sidewall defining an interior volume, a first aperture, a second aperture, a third aperture, and a fourth aperture;

a first microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the first aperture;

a second microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the second aperture;

a third microphone disposed in the interior volume adjacent the third aperture; and

a speaker disposed in the interior volume adjacent the fourth aperture;

wherein:

a distance along the sidewall between the first aperture and the second aperture is greater than a distance along the sidewall between the second aperture and the third aperture; and is also provided with

The fourth aperture is adjacent to the first aperture.

17. The wearable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the first microphone is oriented to receive sound from a first direction and the second microphone is oriented to receive sound from a second direction different from the first direction.

18. The wearable electronic device of claim 17, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

19. The wearable electronic device of claim 16, wherein the first aperture and the fourth aperture are defined on a proximal side of the electronic device.

20. The wearable electronic device of claim 19, wherein the second aperture and the third aperture are defined on a distal side of the electronic device.