CN118119335A

CN118119335A - Electronics for sensing moisture

Info

Publication number: CN118119335A
Application number: CN202280070430.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郑大雄; 李秀镐; 赵申熙
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-22
Filing date: 2022-08-04
Publication date: 2024-05-31

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic device. The electronic device includes: a housing including a first surface, a second surface, and a conductive frame disposed between the first surface and the second surface and including a through hole; a first electrode that can move inside the through hole; a second electrode that is disposed on the second surface; and at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to: identify whether the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame; obtain information related to the user's body through the first electrode and the second electrode; and avoid obtaining the information.

Description

Electronic device for sensing moisture

Technical Field

Various embodiments relate to an electronic device for detecting moisture.

Background

As the user's interest in health increases, the electronic device may obtain information about the user's body. The user can easily find a way to improve the physical condition of himself by continuously monitoring the physical condition of the person from the information provided by the electronic device.

As users continue to wear electronic devices, the electronic devices may be exposed to various conditions that may cause the electronic devices to malfunction. For example, the electronic device may malfunction due to failure of the sensor to obtain accurate information from the user due to infiltration of moisture or foreign matter into the interior.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem

The electronic device may include various types of sensors to obtain information about the user's body. For example, the electronic device may comprise a sensor comprising electrodes to obtain information about the physical condition of the user. For example, when electrodes and other components of an electronic device are unintentionally electrically connected to each other due to moisture penetrating the electronic device, the sensor may not obtain accurate information from a user, and thus may malfunction. To prevent failure of the sensor, the electronic device may include a sensor for detecting moisture, but the electronic device may not respond quickly to failure of the sensor because time is required to process the data received from the sensor, and thus the data detected from the sensor may be unreliable. The electronic device may detect moisture penetrating into the electronic device without including the sensor.

Various embodiments relate to an electronic device for detecting moisture.

The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description.

Technical proposal

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include: a housing including a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface and facing a portion of a user's body when the user wears the electronic device, and a conductive frame disposed between the first surface and the second surface and including a through hole; a first electrode spaced apart from an inner surface of the through hole and movable within the through hole, a portion of the first electrode protruding outside the conductive frame; a second electrode disposed on the second surface and in contact with a portion of the user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user; a processor; wherein the processor may be configured to identify whether the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame in response to identifying the specified event; obtaining information about the user's body through the first electrode and the second electrode based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame; and avoiding obtaining the information based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include: a housing including a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface and facing a portion of a user's body when the user wears the electronic device, and a conductive frame disposed between the first surface and the second surface and including a first through hole and a second through hole; a display disposed on the first surface; a first electrode spaced apart from an inner surface of the first through hole and movable within the first through hole, and a portion of the first electrode protruding outside the conductive frame; a second electrode disposed on the second surface and in contact with the portion of the user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user; a third electrode spaced apart from an inner surface of the second through hole and movable within the second through hole, the third electrode protruding outside the conductive frame; a fourth electrode disposed on the second surface and spaced apart from the second electrode and in contact with the portion of the user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user; wherein the processor may be configured to identify whether the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame; in response to identifying a specified event, obtaining information about a user's body through the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame and identifying that the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame; and based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame or the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame, refraining from obtaining information.

Advantageous effects

According to the embodiment, by determining whether the conductive frame and the first electrode are electrically disconnected, the electronic device can easily detect whether moisture has penetrated into the electronic device without including a separate additional sensor. According to the embodiment, the electronic device can smoothly obtain information about the user's body by easily detecting whether moisture has penetrated through the electrodes.

The effects that the present disclosure can obtain are not limited to the above-described effects, and any other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment, in accordance with various embodiments.

Fig. 2a and 2b are perspective views of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4a is a perspective view of a second surface of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of cutting the electronic device along A-A' of fig. 4a according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5a is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5b is a diagram illustrating an example of providing a notification of whether an electronic device is submerged according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example of the operation of a processor of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example of the operation of a processor of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 101 in a network environment 100 according to various embodiments.

Referring to fig. 1, an electronic device 101 in a network environment 100 may communicate with the electronic device 102 via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network) or with at least one of the electronic device 104 or the server 108 via a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may communicate with the electronic device 104 via the server 108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 101 may include a processor 120, a memory 130, an input module 150, a sound output module 155, a display module 160, an audio module 170, a sensor module 176, an interface 177, a connection 178, a haptic module 179, a camera module 180, a power management module 188, a battery 189, a communication module 190, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 196, or an antenna module 197. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., connection end 178) may be omitted from electronic device 101, or one or more other components may be added to electronic device 101. In some embodiments, some components (e.g., sensor module 176, camera module 180, or antenna module 197) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., display module 160).

The processor 120 may execute, for example, software (e.g., program 140) to control at least one other component (e.g., hardware or software component) of the electronic device 101 coupled to the processor 120, and may perform various data processing or calculations. According to an embodiment, as at least part of data processing or computation, the processor 120 may store commands or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module 176 or the communication module 190) in the volatile memory 132, process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory 132, and store the resulting data in the non-volatile memory 134. According to an embodiment, the processor 120 may include a main processor 121 (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or an Application Processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), an Image Signal Processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a Communication Processor (CP)) that may operate independently of the main processor 121 or in conjunction with the main processor 121. For example, when the electronic device 101 comprises a main processor 121 and an auxiliary processor 123, the auxiliary processor 123 may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor 121 or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor 123 may be implemented separately from the main processor 121 or as part of the main processor 121.

The auxiliary processor 123 may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one of the components of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the display module 160, the sensor module 176, or the communication module 190) instead of the main processor 121 when the main processor 121 is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor 121 when the main processor 121 is in an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module 180 or the communication module 190) functionally related to the auxiliary processor 123. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor 123 (e.g., a neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified for artificial intelligence model processing. The artificial intelligence model may be generated by machine learning. Such learning may be performed, for example, by the electronic device 101 performing artificial intelligence or via a separate server (e.g., server 108). The learning algorithm may include, but is not limited to, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be a Deep Neural Network (DNN), a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), a boltzmann machine limited (RBM), a Deep Belief Network (DBN), a bi-directional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q network, or a combination of two or more thereof, but is not limited thereto. The artificial intelligence model may additionally or alternatively include software structures in addition to hardware structures.

The memory 130 may store various data used by at least one component of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 120 or the sensor module 176). The various data may include, for example, input data or output data of the software (e.g., program 140) and commands associated therewith. Memory 130 may include volatile memory 132 or nonvolatile memory 134.

The program 140 may be stored as software in the memory 130 and may include, for example, an Operating System (OS) 142, middleware 144, or applications 146.

The input module 150 may receive commands or data from outside the electronic device 101 (e.g., a user) to be used by another component of the electronic device 101 (e.g., the processor 120). The input module 150 may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, keys (e.g., buttons) or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus).

The sound output module 155 may output a sound signal to the outside of the electronic device 101. The sound output module 155 may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. Speakers may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing a record. The receiver may be used to receive an incoming call. According to embodiments, the receiver may be implemented separate from or as part of the speaker.

The display module 160 may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., user) of the electronic device 101. The display module 160 may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector, and a control circuit for controlling a corresponding one of the display, the hologram device, and the projector. According to an embodiment, the display module 160 may comprise a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the strength of the force caused by a touch.

The audio module 170 may convert sound into electrical signals and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module 170 may obtain sound via the input module 150, or output sound via the sound output module 155 or headphones of an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102) coupled directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly with the electronic device 101.

The sensor module 176 may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device 101 or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device 101 and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module 176 may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyroscope sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an Infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

Interface 177 may support one or more specified protocols for electronic device 101 to couple directly (e.g., wired) or wirelessly with an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 102). According to an embodiment, interface 177 may include, for example, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a Secure Digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

The connection end 178 may include a connector via which the electronic device 101 may be physically connected with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102). According to an embodiment, the connection end 178 may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module 179 may convert the electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., vibration or movement) or an electrical stimulus, which may be recognized by the user via his sense of touch or kinesthetic sense. According to an embodiment, the haptic module 179 may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrostimulator.

The camera module 180 may capture still images or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module 180 may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, an image signal processor, or a flash.

The power management module 188 may manage power supplied to the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the power management module 188 may be implemented as at least a portion of, for example, a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC).

Battery 189 may provide power to at least one component of electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, battery 189 may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

The communication module 190 may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102, the electronic device 104, or the server 108) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module 190 may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently of the processor 120 (e.g., an Application Processor (AP)) and support direct (e.g., wired) or wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module 190 may include a wireless communication module 192 (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module 194 (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN) communication module or a Power Line Communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with external electronic devices via a first network 198 (e.g., a short-range communication network such as bluetooth ^TM, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network 199 (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a conventional cellular network, 5G network, next-generation communication network, the internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or Wide Area Network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multiple components (e.g., multiple chips) that are separate from each other. The wireless communication module 192 may use user information (e.g., an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)) stored in the user identification module 196 to identify and authenticate the electronic device 101 in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199.

The wireless communication module 192 may support a 5G network following a 4G network and next generation communication technologies (e.g., new wireless (NR) access technologies). The NR access technology can support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), large-scale machine type communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). The wireless communication module 192 may support a high frequency band (e.g., millimeter wave band) to achieve, for example, a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module 192 may support various techniques for ensuring performance over a high frequency band, such as, for example, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (massive MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, or massive antennas. The wireless communication module 192 may support various requirements specified in the electronic device 101, an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device 104), or a network system (e.g., second network 199). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module 192 may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20Gbps or greater) for implementing eMBB, a lost coverage (e.g., 164dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or a U-plane delay (e.g., round trips of 0.5ms or less, or 1ms or less for each of the Downlink (DL) and Uplink (UL)) for implementing URLLC.

The antenna module 197 may transmit or receive signals or power to or from an outside of the electronic device 101 (e.g., an external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module 197 may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas). In this case, at least one antenna of a communication scheme suitable for use in a communication network, such as the first network 198 or the second network 199, may be selected from a plurality of antennas, for example, by the communication module 190 (e.g., the wireless communication module 192). Signals or power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module 190 and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component other than the radiating element, such as a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), may additionally be formed as part of the antenna module 197.

According to various embodiments, antenna module 197 may form a millimeter wave antenna module. According to an embodiment, a millimeter wave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent to a first surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a specified high frequency band (e.g., a millimeter wave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on or adjacent to a second surface (e.g., a top surface or a side surface) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the specified high frequency band.

At least some of the above components may be coupled to each other and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., bus, general Purpose Input and Output (GPIO), serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), or Mobile Industrial Processor Interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be sent or received between the electronic device 101 and the external electronic device 104 via the server 108 coupled with the second network 199. Each of the electronic devices 102 or 104 may be the same type or a different type of device than the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, all or some of the operations to be performed at the electronic device 101 may be performed at one or more of the external electronic devices 102, 104 or the server 108. For example, if the electronic device 101 should perform a function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device 101 may request one or more external electronic devices to perform at least a portion of the function or service instead of or in addition to performing the function or service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform at least a portion of the requested function or service, or additional functions or additional services related to the request, and transmit the result of the performance to the electronic device 101. The electronic device 101 may provide the results as at least a portion of a reply to the request with or without further processing of the results. To this end, for example, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile Edge Computing (MEC), or client-server computing techniques may be used. The electronic device 101 may provide ultra-low latency services using, for example, distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In another embodiment, the external electronic device 104 may include an internet of things (IoT) device. Server 108 may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or neural networks. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device 104 or the server 108 may be included in the second network 199. The electronic device 101 may be applied to smart services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technology.

Referring to fig. 2a and 2B, an electronic device 200 (e.g., the electronic device 101 of fig. 1) according to an embodiment may include a housing 210, the housing 210 including a first surface (or front surface) 210A, a second surface (or rear surface) 210B, and a side surface 210C surrounding a space between the first surface 210A and the second surface 210B, and binding members 250 and 260 connected to at least a portion of the housing 210 and configured to removably attach the electronic device 200 to a part of a user's body (e.g., a wrist, an ankle, etc.). In another embodiment (not shown), the housing may also refer to a structure that forms at least a portion of the first surface 210A, the second surface 210B, and the side surface 210C of fig. 2 a. According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the first surface 210A may be implemented by a substantially transparent front plate 201 (e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate including various coatings). The second surface 210B may be implemented by a substantially opaque back plate 207. The rear plate 207 may be made of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two materials. The side surfaces 210C may be coupled to the front and rear panels 201, 207 and may be implemented by side frame structures (or "side members") 206 comprising metal and/or polymer. In some embodiments, the back panel 207 and the side frame structure 206 may be integrally formed and may comprise the same material (e.g., a metallic material such as aluminum). The binding members 250 and 260 may be made of various materials and may be made in various shapes. Binding members 250 and 260 may be made of woven fabric, leather, rubber, polyurethane, metal, ceramic, or a combination of at least two materials.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device 200 may include at least one of a display 220 (see fig. 3), audio modules 205 and 208, a sensor module 211, key input devices 202, 203, and 204, and a connector hole 209. In some embodiments, the electronic device 200 may omit at least one of the components (e.g., the key input device 202, the key input device 203, and the key input device 204, the connector hole 209, or the sensor module 211) or may further include another component.

The display 220 may be exposed, for example, through a substantial portion of the front panel 201. The shape of the display 220 may correspond to the shape of the front plate 20, such as a circle (as shown in fig. 2), an ellipse, or a polygon. The display 220 may be coupled to or adjacent to touch sensing circuitry, pressure sensors capable of measuring the intensity (pressure) of touches, and/or fingerprint sensors.

The audio modules 205 and 208 may include microphone holes 205 and speaker holes 208. A microphone for obtaining external sound may be provided within the microphone aperture 205, and in some embodiments, a plurality of microphones may be provided to detect the direction of sound. Speaker aperture 208 may be used with an external speaker and a receiver for telephone calls. In some embodiments, the speaker aperture 208 and the microphone aperture 205 may be implemented as a single aperture, or may include a speaker (e.g., a piezoelectric speaker) without the speaker aperture 208.

The sensor module 211 may generate electrical signals or data values corresponding to an internal operating state or an external environmental state of the electronic device 200. The sensor module 211 may include, for example, a biometric sensor module 211 (e.g., a Heart Rate Monitor (HRM) sensor) disposed on the second surface 210B of the housing 210. The electronic device 200 may also include at least one sensor module, not shown, such as a gesture sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared sensor, a biometric sensor, a humidity sensor, and/or an illuminance sensor.

The sensor module 211 may include electrode regions 213 and 214 forming a part of the surface of the electronic device 200 and a bio-signal detection circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the electrode regions 213 and 214. For example, the electrode regions 213 and 214 may include a first electrode region 213 and a second electrode region 214 disposed on the second surface 210B of the case 210. The sensor module 211 may be configured such that the electrode regions 213 and 214 obtain an electrical signal from a part of the user's body, and the bio-signal detection circuit may detect bio-feature information of the user based on the electrical signal.

The key input devices 202, 203, and 204 may include a wheel key 202 provided on a first surface 210A of the housing 210 and rotatable in at least one direction, and/or side key buttons 203 and 204 provided on a side surface 210C of the housing 210. The shape of the wheel key may correspond to the shape of the front plate 201. In another embodiment, the electronic device 200 may not include some or all of the key input devices 202, 203, and 204 described above, and the key input devices 202, 203, and 204 that are not included may be implemented in other forms, such as soft keys on the display 220. The connector hole 209 may receive a connector (e.g., a USB connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from an external electronic device, and may include another connector hole (not shown) capable of receiving a connector for transmitting and receiving an audio signal to and from the external electronic device. The electronic device 200 may further include, for example, a connector cover (not shown) that covers at least a portion of the connector hole 209 and blocks external foreign matter from flowing into the connector hole.

Binding members 250 and 260 may be attached to at least a portion of housing 210 and may be user-detachable from housing 210 using locking members 251, 261. The binding members 250 and 260 may include one or more of a fixing member 252, a fixing member fastening hole 253, a tape guide member 254, and a tape fixing ring 255.

The securing member 252 may be configured to secure the housing 210 and the binding members 250 and 260 to a portion of the user's body (e.g., wrist, ankle, etc.). The fixing member fastening hole 253 may correspond to the fixing member 252 to fix the housing 210 and the binding members 250 and 260 to a part of the user's body. The belt guide member 254 may be configured to limit a moving range of the fixing member 252 when the fixing member 252 is fastened to the fixing member fastening hole 253 such that the binding members 250 and 260 are attached to be in close contact with a part of the user's body. When the fixing member 252 and the fixing member fastening hole 253 are fastened, the belt fixing ring 255 can limit the moving range of the fixing members 250 and 260.

Referring to fig. 3, an electronic device 300 (e.g., the electronic device 101 of fig. 1, the electronic device 200 of fig. 2a and/or fig. 2 b) may include a side frame structure 310, a wheel key 320, a front plate 201, a display 220, a first antenna 350, a second antenna 355, a support member 360 (e.g., a bracket), a battery 370, a printed circuit board 380, a sealing member 390, and binding members 395, 397. At least one component of the electronic device 300 may be the same as or similar to at least one component of the electronic device 200 of fig. 1, 2a, and/or 2b, and a repetitive description thereof will be omitted. The support member 360 may be provided inside the electronic device 300 to be connected to the side frame structure 310, or may be integrated with the side frame structure 310. The support member 360 may be made of, for example, a metallic material and/or a non-metallic (e.g., polymeric) material. The display 220 may be coupled to one surface of the support member 360, and the printed circuit board 380 may be coupled to the other surface of the support member 360. The processor, memory, and/or interface may be mounted on the printed circuit board 380. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), an application processor sensor processor, or a communication processor.

The memory may include, for example, volatile memory or nonvolatile memory. The interface may include, for example, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface. For example, the interface may electrically or physically connect the electronic device 300 to an external electronic device, and may include a USB connector, an SD card/MMC connector, or an audio connector.

The battery 370 is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device 300, and may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. At least a portion of the battery 370 may be disposed on substantially the same plane as, for example, the printed circuit board 380. The battery 370 may be integrally provided inside the electronic device 200 or may be detachably coupled to the electronic device 200.

The first antenna 350 may be disposed between the display 220 and the support member 360. The first antenna 350 may include, for example, a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a Magnetic Security Transmission (MST) antenna. The first antenna 350 may, for example, perform short-range communication with an external device, wirelessly transmit and receive power required for charging, and transmit a short-range communication signal or an electromagnetic signal including payment data. In another embodiment, the antenna structure may be formed from at least a portion of the side frame structure 310 and/or a portion of the support member 360, or a combination thereof.

The second antenna 355 may be disposed between the printed circuit board 380 and the rear panel 393. The second antenna 355 may include, for example, a Near Field Communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a Magnetic Security Transmission (MST) antenna. For example, the second antenna 355 may perform short-range communication with an external device, wirelessly transmit and receive power required for charging, and may transmit a short-range communication signal or an electromagnetic signal including payment data. In another embodiment, the antenna structure may be formed from at least a portion of the side frame structure 310 and/or a portion of the rear panel 393, or a combination thereof.

The sealing member 390 may be positioned between the side frame structure 310 and the rear panel 393. The sealing member 390 may be configured to block moisture and foreign matter from flowing from the outside into the space surrounded by the side frame structure 310 and the rear panel 393.

Fig. 4a is a perspective view of a second surface of the electronic device according to an embodiment, and fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of cutting the electronic device along A-A' of fig. 4a according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 4a and 4b, an electronic device 400 (e.g., the electronic device 101 of fig. 1, the electronic device 200 of fig. 2a and/or 2b, or the electronic device 300 of fig. 3) may include a housing 410 (e.g., the housing 210 of fig. 2 a), a binding member 420 (e.g., the binding members 250 and 260 of fig. 2a and/or 2 b), a display 430 (e.g., the display 220 of fig. 3), a plurality of electrodes 440, an electronic component 450, a non-conductive member 460, and a sealing member 470. According to an embodiment, the electronic device 400 may contact a portion of the user's body (e.g., the wrist or ankle) when worn by the user.

The case 410 may form the overall appearance of the electronic device 400. According to an embodiment, the case 410 may include a first surface 410a and a second surface 410b facing the first surface 410 a. The first surface 410A and the second surface 410B may be substantially identical to the first surface 210A of fig. 2a and the second surface 210B of fig. 2B, respectively. According to an embodiment, the second surface 410b may face a part of the user's body when the electronic device 400 is worn by the user.

According to an embodiment, the case 410 may include an inner space 411 and a conductive frame 412. The interior space 411 may house various components of the electronic device 400. For example, the inner space 411 may house an electronic component 450 capable of performing various functions of the electronic device 400. The inner space 411 may be an empty space formed inside the case 410. For example, the inner space 411 may refer to a space surrounded by the first surface 410a, the second surface 410b, and the side surfaces 410c extending from edges of the first surface 410a and the second surface 410b and connecting the first surface 410a and the second surface 410b. The conductive frame 412 may form at least a portion of the side surface 410c of the case 410. According to an embodiment, the conductive frame 412 may be disposed between the first surface 410a and the second surface 410b of the case 410, and may connect the first surface 410a and the second surface 410b. The conductive frame 412 may form an inner space 411 together with the first surface 410a and the second surface 410b, and may protect various components of the electronic device 400 accommodated in the inner space 411. For example, the conductive frame 412 may form at least a portion of a side member (e.g., side member 206 of fig. 2 a). According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the conductive frame 412 may be made of a metal material, such as aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium. For example, the conductive frame 412 may be made entirely of a metallic material, or may be made of a combination of metallic and non-conductive materials (e.g., glass, ceramic, or polymer).

According to an embodiment, the conductive frame 412 may include a first through hole 413 and a second through hole 414 connecting the inner space 411 of the case 410 to the outside of the electronic device 400. According to an embodiment, the first and second through holes 413 and 414 may extend from the inner space 411 of the case 410 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction toward the first surface 410a to be formed to the outside of the conductive frame 412.

When the electronic device 400 is worn by a user, the binding member 420 may support the electronic device 400 by contacting the portion B1 of the user's body so as not to deviate from the wearing position. Binding member 420 may be substantially identical to binding members 260 and 270 of fig. 2a and/or fig. 2b. The binding member 420 may be defined as a strap for securing the electronic device 400 to the body of the user. According to an embodiment, the binding member 420 may be rotatably coupled to the case 410. For example, the binding member 420 may be hinged to a portion of the conductive frame 412 to be rotatable with respect to the conductive frame 412. According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the binding member 420 may be made of a metal material. For example, the binding member 420 may be made entirely of metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium) or a material including a combination of metal and non-conductive materials (e.g., silicon, fiber, glass, ceramic, or polymer). As another example, the binding member 420 may be entirely made of a non-conductive material.

Display 430 may output visual information. The user may view information about the state of the electronic device 400 or information about the state of the user through visual information output by the display 430. According to an embodiment, the display 430 may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch of a user or a pressure sensor to detect a magnitude of force generated by the touch of the user. When the display 430 includes a touch sensor or a pressure sensor, the display 430 may receive touch input of a user. For example, the touch sensor may be printed on a layer in a panel of the display 430 to be integrally formed with the display panel. For another example, the touch sensor may be formed of a film including a touch electrode and attached to one of the layers forming the display panel.

The plurality of electrodes 440 may receive electrical signals for obtaining information about the body of the user. For example, the plurality of electrodes 440 may receive electrical signals for obtaining at least one of information about an Electrocardiogram (ECG) of the user, information about a bioelectrical impedance of the user, information about an Electromyogram (EMG) of the user, and information about a skin electrical activity (EDA). Information about the skin electrical activity (EDA) may include, for example, at least one of Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), electrothermal response (EDR), psychoelectrical reflection (PGR), skin Conductance Response (SCR), and Symmetrical Skin Response (SSRS). According to an embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 440 may include a first electrode 441, a second electrode 442, a third electrode 443, and/or a fourth electrode 444 that are spaced apart from one another. Each of the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 may be inserted into the first through hole 413 and the second through hole 414 of the conductive frame 412, and the second electrode 442 and the fourth electrode 444 may be disposed on the second surface 410b of the case 410. For example, the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 may extend from the inner space 411 of the case 410 to the outside of the electronic device 400 in directions substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the first surface 410a faces, respectively. For another example, the second electrode 442 and the fourth electrode 444 may be disposed on the second surface 410b of the case 410 to face each other.

According to an embodiment, the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 may function as key buttons by forming at least a portion of the key buttons 203 and 204 of fig. 2 a. When the user presses the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443, the electronic device 400 may perform a designated function in response to the pressure of the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443. For example, the electronic device 400 may perform an on/off function or a wake-up/sleep function of power of the electronic device 400 in response to the pressure of the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443. According to an embodiment, the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 may be associated with different functions of the electronic device 400. According to an embodiment, one of the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 may be omitted according to functions provided by the electronic device 400. For example, the electronic device 400 may omit one of the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 or omit one of the second electrode 442 and the fourth electrode 444, according to design requirements. When the third electrode 443 is not required in the electronic device 400, the third electrode 443 may be configured to operate as a key button instead of operating as an electrode.

According to an embodiment, a portion of the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 may protrude to the outside of the conductive frame 412 and may move in the first through hole 413 and the second through hole 414, respectively. When the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 move in the first through hole 413 and the second through hole 414, respectively, the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 may provide a click feeling to a user of the electronic device 400. According to an embodiment, the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 may be spaced apart from inner surfaces of the first through hole 413 and the second through hole 414 to be movable in the first through hole 413 and the second through hole 414, respectively. For example, each of the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 may be spaced apart from the first through hole 413 and the second through hole 414 in a direction substantially perpendicular to an extending direction of the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443. For example, the shape of the side surface of the first electrode 441 may correspond to the inner surface of the first through hole 413. The side surface of the first electrode 441 and the inner surface of the first through hole 413 may be spaced apart from each other.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 440 may be electrically separated in a state before contacting the parts B1 and B2 of the user's body. When the plurality of electrodes 440 contact the parts B1 and B2 of the user's body, an electrically closed circuit may be formed by the plurality of electrodes 440 and the parts B1 and B2 of the user's body. When forming an electrically closed circuit, the plurality of electrodes 440 may receive an electrical signal generated in the user's body or transmit current to the user's sites B1 and B2 through one portion thereof and receive current returned from the user's sites B1 and B2 through another portion thereof.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 440 may receive electrical signals generated in the user's body through different portions B1 and B2 contacting the user's body to obtain information about the user's electrocardiogram. For example, when the electronic device 400 is worn on the left hand of the user, the second electrode 442 provided on the second surface 410B may contact the left hand as the part B1 of the user's body, and the first electrode 441 may contact the right hand as another part B2 of the user's body. When the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 contact different parts B1 and B2 of the user's body, an electrically closed circuit through the user's heart may be formed by the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, and the different parts B1 and B2 of the body. The first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 may obtain information about an electrocardiogram of the user by receiving an active potential generated in the myocardium by the heart beat of the user via an electrically closed circuit through the heart of the user.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 440 may transmit a current through the different each of the parts B1 and B2 contacting the user's body via the parts B1 and B2 of the user's body and receive the returned current again in order to obtain information about the bio-resistance of the user. For example, when the electronic device 400 is worn on the left hand of the user, since the second electrode 442 and the fourth electrode 444 provided on the second surface 410B contact different regions of the left hand (i.e., the part B1 of the user's body) and the first electrode 441 and the third electrode 443 contact different fingers of the right hand (i.e., the other part B2 of the user's body), an electrically closed circuit may be formed in the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, the fourth electrode 444, and the different parts B1 and B2 of the body. When an electrically closed circuit is formed, as alternating current is applied from one portion of the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 to different parts B1 and B2 of the user's body and current is received to the other portion of the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444, the electronic device 400 can obtain information about the bio-resistance of the user.

Referring to fig. 4b, the electronic part 450 may include a part that is disposed in the case 410 and performs an operation of the electronic device 400. According to an embodiment, the electronic component 450 may comprise at least one sensor (e.g., the sensor module 220 of fig. 2 b), wherein the at least one sensor may be configured to be electrically connected to a processor (e.g., the processor 120 of fig. 1) performing the overall operation of the electronic device 400 and the plurality of electrodes 440, and to detect information about the user's body by means of electrical signals received from the plurality of electrodes 440. According to an embodiment, a processor may be operably coupled to the conductive frame 412, the display 430, and the plurality of electrodes 440. According to an embodiment, the at least one sensor may be at least one of an Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor, an Electromyography (EMG) sensor, and an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor, for example.

According to an embodiment, the electronic part 450 may include a contact part 451 that makes electrical contact with the first electrode 441. In a state where the first electrode 441 is not pressed by the user, the contact portion 451 may not make electrical contact with the first electrode 441. When the user presses the first electrode 441, the contact portion 451 may make electrical contact with the first electrode 441 by contacting the first electrode 441. When the contact part 451 and the first electrode 441 make electrical contact, an electrical signal may be transmitted from the contact part 451 to the processor, and the processor may perform a designated function of the electronic device 400 based on receiving the electrical signal. For example, the contact part 451 may refer to a spring contact connector, but is not limited thereto, and may be changed to various components capable of making electrical contact with the first electrode 441.

The non-conductive member 460 may electrically separate the conductive frame 412 from the first electrode 441. The non-conductive member 460 may be made of a non-conductive material such as plastic. According to an embodiment, the non-conductive member 460 may include a first non-conductive member 461 and a second non-conductive member 462, the first non-conductive member 461 and the second non-conductive member 462 being coupled to the conductive frame 412 so as to contact the inner surface of the first through hole 413 and the first electrode 441 and to be spaced apart from each other. For example, the first non-conductive member 461 may surround one region of the first electrode 441 near the inner space 411, and may be fixed to an inner surface of the first through hole 413. As another example, the second non-conductive member 462 may be coupled to an end of the first electrode 441 facing the outside of the electronic device 400, and may move together with the first electrode 441. According to an embodiment, an air gap g may be formed between the first and second non-conductive members 461 and 462 such that the first and second non-conductive members 461 and 462 are spaced apart from each other in a state before the user presses the first electrode 441. The second non-conductive member 462 may move together with the first electrode 441 according to a user's pressure to contact the first non-conductive member 461. The first and second non-conductive members 461 and 462 may serve as stoppers for limiting the moving distance of the first electrode 441 by making contact according to the movement of the first electrode 441.

The sealing member 470 may prevent foreign objects from penetrating into the inner space 411 from the outside of the electronic device 400 by sealing the first through hole 413. For example, the first sealing member 471 may surround one region of the first electrode 441 inside the first non-conductive member 461 within the first through hole 413. The first sealing member 471 may seal the first through hole 413 by contacting the first non-conductive member 461 and the first electrode 441 around one region of the first electrode 441. For example, the sealing member 470 may be an O-ring, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, to obtain information about the user's body, the processor may be configured to identify whether the user's body is in contact with the plurality of electrodes 440. For example, the processor may identify whether the user's body contacts the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 based on identifying an impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442. Since the user body may serve as a conductor, when the portion B2 of the user body contacts the first electrode 441, the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 may be lower than when the portion B2 of the user body does not contact the first electrode 441. The processor may identify an impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442, and when the identified impedance value is equal to or less than a reference value, it may determine that the user's body contacts the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442. According to an embodiment, upon obtaining information about the user's body, the processor may be configured to continuously monitor the impedance values between the plurality of electrodes 440 in order to identify whether the user's body is in contact with the plurality of electrodes 440.

According to an embodiment, the processor may identify whether the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 in response to identifying a specified event. The specified event may refer to receiving an input signal of a user requesting information about the body of the user or detecting that the specified mode of the electronic apparatus 400 is changed to another specified mode. According to an embodiment, the processor may identify whether the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 are electrically disconnected based on identifying whether an impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 is equal to or less than a reference value. For example, moisture may permeate into the first through hole 413 along a thin gap between the conductive frame 412 and the second non-conductive member 462 and may be located in the air gap g between the first non-conductive member 461 and the second non-conductive member 462. The moisture moved into the air gap g may contact the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 to electrically connect the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412. When the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 are electrically connected to each other, an impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 may be measured to be lower than an impedance value when the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 are electrically disconnected. According to an embodiment, the processor of the electronic device 400 may identify whether the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 by identifying that the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 is equal to or less than a reference value.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to obtain information about the body of the user through the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 based on recognizing that the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412, and to avoid obtaining information about the body of the user based on recognizing that the first electrode 441 is electrically connected to the conductive frame 412. For example, when the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 are connected due to moisture, the first electrode 441 may form an indirect electrical connection with the portion B1 of the body via the conductive frame 412 and/or the binding member 420 that contacts the portion B1 of the body. When the first electrode 441 forms an indirect electrical connection with the portion B1 of the body, an impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 may be less than or equal to a reference value in a state in which the second electrode 442 contacts the portion B1 of the body of the user. When an impedance value equal to or lower than the reference value is identified, the processor may initiate an operation of obtaining information about the user's body and may malfunction because normal contact with different parts (B1, B2) of the body and abnormal contact with parts (B1) of the body are not distinguished by the impedance value. For example, in the case of obtaining information about the electrocardiogram of the user, since only the portion B1 of the user's body is in contact with the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 when the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441 are electrically connected, an electrically closed circuit formed by the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 does not pass through the heart of the user, and the processor may not accurately obtain information about the electrocardiogram of the user. Since the processor does not obtain information about the electrocardiogram, the processor can repeatedly perform an operation of determining again whether the body is in contact or not to cause a malfunction.

According to the above-described embodiments, the electronic device 400 may recognize whether the processor electrically disconnects the first electrode 441 from the conductive frame 412, and the electronic device 400 may prevent malfunction of the processor by stopping obtaining information about the user's body when the electrical connection between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 is recognized.

Meanwhile, although the structure of fig. 4b has been described with respect to the first through hole 413 and the first electrode 441, the description of fig. 4b may be equally applied to the second through hole 414 and the third electrode 443. For example, the non-conductive member 460 may include a third non-conductive member (not shown) and a fourth non-conductive member (not shown) coupled to the conductive frame 412 to contact the inner surface of the second via 414 and the third electrode 443 and to be spaced apart from each other. For another example, the sealing member 470 may further include a second sealing member (not shown) sealing the second through hole 414 by surrounding the third electrode 443.

Fig. 5a is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment, and fig. 5b is a diagram illustrating an example of providing a notification of whether the electronic device is submerged according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, referring to fig. 5a and 5b, the electronic device 400 may include a conductive frame 412, a display 430, a first electrode 441, a second electrode 442, a sensor 510, an impedance measurement circuit 520, at least one switch 530, an actuator 540, and a processor 550. The conductive frame 412, the display 430, the first electrode 441, and the second electrode 442 of fig. 5a and 5b may be substantially the same as the conductive frame 412, the display 430, the first electrode 441, and the second electrode 442 of fig. 4a and/or 4b, respectively, and thus repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The sensor 510 may be configured to obtain information about the body of the user by receiving the electrical signals received from the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442. The sensor 510 may obtain information about the user's body and send the obtained information to the processor 550. For example, the sensor 510 may be at least one of an Electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, and a Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor.

The impedance measuring circuit 520 may obtain impedance values between the conductive frame 412, the first electrode 441, and the second electrode 442. For example, the impedance measuring circuit 520 may be electrically connected to the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441, thereby measuring an impedance value between the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441. For another example, the impedance measuring circuit 520 may be electrically connected to the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442, thereby measuring an impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442.

At least one switch 530 may selectively connect at least one of the conductive frame 412, the first electrode 441, and the second electrode 442 to the impedance measurement circuit 520. According to an embodiment, the at least one switch 530 may be switched to a first state a connecting the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441 to the impedance measuring circuit 520 and a second state B connecting the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442.

The actuator 540 may discharge moisture permeated into the first through hole (e.g., the first through hole 413 of fig. 4a and/or 4 b) or the second through hole (e.g., the second through hole 414 of fig. 4 a) to the outside of the electronic device 400. According to an embodiment, the actuator 540 may be provided in a housing (e.g., the housing 410 of fig. 4a and/or 4 b) to vibrate the electronic device 400 or a designated component (e.g., the sound output module 155 of fig. 1) in the electronic device 400 to discharge moisture to the outside of the electronic device 400.

Processor 550 may be operably coupled to display 430, sensor 510, impedance measurement circuit 520, at least one switch 530, and actuator 540. Processor 550 may identify whether first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from conductive frame 412 in response to identifying the specified event. According to an embodiment, the specified event may comprise receiving an input signal of a user requesting information about the user's body. For example, when the user wants to obtain information about the body, the user may execute software (e.g., an application program) for providing the information about the body by touching the display 430 or pressing the first electrode 441. When execution of software for providing information about the body (e.g., application execution) is detected, the processor 550 may perform an operation for identifying whether the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412. According to another embodiment, the designating event may include identifying that the mode of the electronic device 400 changes from the first designated mode to the second designated mode. The first specified mode may represent a swimming mode of the electronic device 400 and the second specified mode may represent another operating mode of the electronic device 400 in addition to the swimming mode. The swimming mode of the electronic device 400 may refer to an operational state of the electronic device 400 when the user swims while wearing the electronic device 400. For example, when the electronic device 400 enters a swimming mode, the processor 550 may control the display 430 such that no touch input is received through the display 430. According to another embodiment, the specified event may include identifying, by a moisture detection sensor (e.g., an atmospheric pressure sensor), whether moisture has permeated into the electronic device 400.

According to an embodiment, in response to identifying the specified event, the processor 550 may electrically connect the impedance measurement circuit 520 to the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 512 through the at least one switch 530 by switching the at least one switch 530 to the first state a. The processor 550 may identify whether the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 based on the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 512 obtained through the impedance measurement circuit 520. For example, the processor 550 may recognize that the first electrode 441 is electrically connected to the conductive frame 412 based on recognizing that the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 is equal to or less than the reference value. For another example, the processor 550 may identify that the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 based on identifying that the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 is greater than a reference value.

According to an embodiment, the processor 550 may be configured to obtain information about the user's body through the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 based on identifying that the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412. For example, the processor 550 may electrically connect the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 to the impedance measurement circuit 520 through the at least one switch 530 by switching the at least one switch 530 from the first state a to the second state B based on identifying that the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412. When the at least one switch 530 is switched from the first state a to the second state B, the impedance measurement circuit 520 and the conductive frame 412 may be electrically disconnected. According to an embodiment, the sensor 510 may obtain information about a biological signal (e.g., an electrocardiogram) of the user based on the electrical signals received by the first electrode 441 contacting a part of the body (e.g., part B1 of the body in fig. 4 a) and the second electrode 442 contacting another part of the body (e.g., part B2 of the body in fig. 4 a). The processor 550 may receive information about the user's bio-signal (e.g., ECG) obtained by the sensor 510 and inform the user of the information about the user's bio-signal (e.g., ECG) through the display 430.

According to an embodiment, the processor 550 may recognize whether the user's body contacts the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 based on recognizing whether the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 is equal to or less than a reference value through the impedance measurement circuit 520. For example, when it is recognized that the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 is less than or equal to the reference value, the processor 550 may obtain information about the user's body through the sensor 510. The processor 550 may inform the user of information about the user's body by outputting information about the user's body obtained through the sensor 510 to the display 430. For another example, the processor 550 may provide a notification to the user to check the physical contact state based on recognizing that the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442 exceeds the reference value. The processor 550 may provide visual notification for directing contact with the body through the display 430, tactile notification by the actuator 540 vibrating the electronic device 400 to cause physical contact, or audible notification by an acoustic output module (e.g., acoustic output module 155 of fig. 1) to cause physical contact.

According to an embodiment, the processor 550 may be configured to avoid obtaining information about the user's body based on identifying that the first electrode 441 is electrically connected to the conductive frame 412. When it is identified that the first electrode 441 is electrically connected to the conductive frame 412, the processor 550 may provide a notification that the electronic device 400 is submerged. For example, the processor 550 may provide a visual notification to the user that moisture has penetrated into the electronic device 400 via the display 430. As another example, the processor 550 may provide visual guidance through the display 430 so that a user may remove moisture in the electronic device 400. The visual guide provided through the display 430 may indicate an operation that the user can remove moisture by shaking the electronic device 400, or may refer to a screen or video indicating a method of drying the electronic device 400. For another example, the processor 550 may remove moisture in the electronic device 400 by operating the actuator 540 to vibrate the electronic device 400.

As described above, according to an embodiment, the electronic device 400 may recognize whether the electronic device 400 is submerged by recognizing whether the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 without including an additional sensor. For example, the electronic device 400 may include an impedance measurement circuit 520 to identify whether the user's body remains in contact with the first electrode 441 and the second electrode 442. The electronic device 400 according to the embodiment may easily detect whether the electronic device 400 is submerged by connecting the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441 to the impedance measuring circuit 520 to check the body contact state, and thus may not include a separate sensor for detecting the submergence. The electronic device 400 according to an embodiment may comprise a relatively simple circuit structure, since it is not necessary to include a separate additional sensor.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to fig. 6, an electronic device 400 according to an embodiment may include a conductive frame 412, a display 430, a first electrode 441, a second electrode 442, a third electrode 443, a fourth electrode 444, a sensor 510, an impedance measurement circuit 520, at least one switch 530, an actuator 540, and a processor 550.

The conductive frame 412, the display 430, the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 of fig. 6 may be substantially identical to the conductive frame 412, the display 430, the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 of fig. 4a and/or 4b, respectively, and the sensor 510, the impedance measurement circuit 520, the at least one switch 530, the actuator 540, and the processor 550 of fig. 6 may be substantially identical to the sensor 510, the impedance measurement circuit 520, the at least one switch 530, the actuator 540, and the processor 550 of fig. 5a, respectively, and thus, duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the sensor 510 may be configured to obtain information about the body of the user by receiving electrical signals received from the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444.

The impedance measuring circuit 520 may obtain impedance values between the conductive frame 412, the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444. For example, the impedance measuring circuit 520 may be electrically connected to the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441, thereby measuring an impedance value between the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441. For another example, the impedance measuring circuit 520 may be electrically connected to the conductive frame 412 and the third electrode 443, thereby measuring an impedance value between the conductive frame 412 and the third electrode 443. For another example, the impedance measuring circuit 520 may be electrically connected to the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 through at least one switch 530, thereby measuring impedance values between the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444.

According to an embodiment, the at least one switch 530 may selectively connect at least one of the conductive frame 412, the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 to the impedance measuring circuit 520. According to an embodiment, the at least one switch 530 may be switched to a first state a in which the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441 are connected to the impedance measuring circuit 520, a second state B in which the conductive frame 412 and the third electrode 443 are connected to the impedance measuring circuit 520, and a third state C in which the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 are connected to the impedance measuring circuit 520.

According to an embodiment, the processor 550 may identify whether the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 in response to identifying a specified event. For example, in response to identifying a specified event, the processor 550 may electrically connect the impedance measurement circuit 520 to the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 512 through the at least one switch 530 by switching the at least one switch 530 to the first state a. The processor 550 may identify whether the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 based on the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 512 obtained through the impedance measurement circuit 520. For another example, in response to identifying the specified event, the processor 550 may electrically connect the impedance measurement circuit 520 to the third electrode 443 and the conductive frame 412 through the at least one switch 530 by switching the at least one switch 530 to the second state B. The processor 550 may identify whether the third electrode 443 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 based on the impedance value between the third electrode 443 and the conductive frame 512 obtained by the impedance measurement circuit 520. According to the embodiment, the order in which the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 are connected to the impedance measuring circuit 520 and the third electrode 443 and the conductive frame 412 may be arbitrarily changed.

According to an embodiment, the processor 550 may be configured to obtain information about the user's body through the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 based on identifying that the first electrode 441 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 and the third electrode 443 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412. For example, by switching at least one switch 530 from the first state a or the second state B to the third state C, the processor 550 may electrically connect the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444 to the impedance measuring circuit 520. When the at least one switch 530 is switched to the third state C, the impedance measurement circuit 520 and the conductive frame 412 may be electrically disconnected. According to an embodiment, the sensor 510 may obtain information about the bio-resistance of the user based on the received electrical signals of the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444. Processor 550 may receive information about the user's bio-resistance from sensor 510 and notify the user of the information about the user's bio-resistance through display 430.

According to an embodiment, the processor 550 may be configured to avoid obtaining information about the user's body based on identifying that the first electrode 441 is electrically connected to the conductive frame 412 or that the third electrode 443 is electrically connected to the conductive frame 412. For example, the processor 550 may identify that the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443 is electrically connected to the conductive frame 412 based on identifying that the impedance value between the first electrode 441 and the conductive frame 412 or the impedance value between the third electrode 443 and the conductive frame 412 is less than or equal to a reference value. When it is recognized that the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443 is electrically connected to the conductive frame 412, the processor 550 may provide a notification to the user that the electronic device 400 is immersed. For example, the processor 550 may provide a visual notification to the user that moisture has penetrated into the electronic device 400 via the display 430. For example, the processor 550 may provide a visual notification to the user that moisture has penetrated into the electronic device 400 via the display 430. For another example, the processor 550 may remove moisture in the electronic device 400 by operating the actuator 540 to vibrate the electronic device 400.

As described above, according to an embodiment, the electronic device 400 may recognize whether the electronic device 400 is submerged by recognizing whether the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 without including an additional sensor. For example, the electronic device 400 may include an impedance measurement circuit 520 to identify whether the user's body remains in contact with the first electrode 441, the second electrode 442, the third electrode 443, and the fourth electrode 444. The electronic device 400 according to the embodiment may not include a separate sensor for detecting the immersion, because whether the electronic device 400 is immersed or not may be easily detected by connecting the conductive frame 412 and the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443 to the impedance measuring circuit 520 to check the physical contact condition. The electronic device 400 according to an embodiment may include a relatively simple circuit structure since a separate additional sensor is not required.

The operations illustrated in fig. 7 may be performed by the electronic device 400 illustrated in fig. 4a, 4b, 5a, and/or 5 b.

Referring to fig. 7, in operation 710, an electronic device (e.g., the processor 550 of the electronic device 400 of fig. 4 a) may identify a specified event. According to an embodiment, the specified event may comprise receiving an input signal from a user requesting information about the user's body or changing a specified mode of the electronic device. For example, the specified event may include detecting execution of software (e.g., execution of an application) for providing information about the body. As another example, the designation event may include identifying that the mode of the electronic device is changed from a first designation mode to a second designation mode. According to an embodiment, the first specified mode may mean a swimming mode of the electronic device, and the second specified mode may mean an operation mode of the electronic device other than the swimming mode.

In operation 720, the processor may identify whether the first electrode (e.g., first electrode 441 of fig. 4 a) is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame (e.g., conductive frame 412 of fig. 4 a) based on responding to the specified event. According to an embodiment, the processor may identify whether the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame based on an impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame obtained by an impedance measurement circuit (e.g., impedance measurement circuit 520 of fig. 5 a). For example, the processor may identify that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame when the impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame is less than or equal to the reference value. For another example, the processor may identify that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame when the impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame exceeds a reference value.

In operation 730, the processor may obtain information about the user's body through the first electrode and the second electrode (e.g., the second electrode 442 of fig. 4 a) based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame. According to an embodiment, the processor may disconnect the conductive frame and the impedance measurement circuit by at least one switch (e.g., at least one switch 530 of fig. 5 a), and may electrically connect the impedance measurement circuit to the first electrode and the second electrode. According to an embodiment, the first electrode and the second electrode may receive electrical signals generated in the user's body by contacting different parts of the user's body, e.g. different parts of the body (B1, B2) in fig. 4a, in order to obtain information about the user's biological signals. According to an embodiment, the first electrode and the second electrode may receive an electrical signal related to a biological signal (e.g. ECG) of the user by forming an electrically closed circuit together with a part of the user's body through the heart of the user.

In operation 740, the processor may refrain from obtaining information about the body of the user based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame. According to an embodiment, the processor may provide a notification to the user via a display (e.g., display 430 of fig. 4 a) whether the electronic device is submerged. According to another embodiment, the processor may remove moisture that has permeated into the electronic device by vibrating the electronic device via an actuator (e.g., actuator 540 in fig. 5 a).

As described above, according to an embodiment, the electronic device 400 may recognize whether the electronic device 400 is submerged by recognizing whether the first electrode 441 or the third electrode 443 is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame 412 without including an additional sensor.

The operations illustrated in fig. 8 may be performed by the electronic device 400 illustrated in fig. 4a, 4b, 5a, and/or 5 b.

Referring to fig. 8, operation 810 may be substantially the same as operation 710 of fig. 7, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

In operation 820, in response to identifying the specified event, the processor (e.g., processor 550 of fig. 5 a) may identify whether the first electrode (e.g., first electrode 441 of fig. 4 a) or the third electrode (e.g., third electrode 443 of fig. 4 a) is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame (e.g., conductive frame 412 of fig. 4 a). According to an embodiment, the processor may identify whether the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame based on whether an impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame or between the third electrode and the conductive frame exceeds a reference value. For example, the processor may identify that the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame when the impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame or the impedance value between the third electrode and the conductive frame is less than or equal to the reference value.

In operation 830, the processor may obtain information about the user's body through the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame and the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame. According to an embodiment, the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode and the fourth electrode may receive electrical signals generated in the user's body by contacting different parts of the user's body (e.g. different parts B1 and B2 of the body in fig. 4 a) in order to obtain information about the user's biological signals. For example, the second and fourth electrodes may contact different areas of the left hand, which are parts of the user's body (e.g., part B1 of the body shown in fig. 4 a), and the first and third electrodes may contact different fingers of the right hand, which are another part of the user's body (e.g., another part B2 of the body of fig. 4 a). The first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode and the fourth electrode contacting different parts of the user's body may form an electrically closed circuit together with the different parts of the user's body. According to an embodiment, the processor may obtain information about the bio-resistance of the user based on the electrical signals received by the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode and the fourth electrode.

In operation 840, according to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to avoid obtaining information about the user's body based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame or that the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame. According to an embodiment, the processor may provide a notification to the user that the electronic device is submerged when it is identified that the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame. For example, the processor may provide visual notification to the user via a display (e.g., display 430 of fig. 4 a) that moisture has penetrated into an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 400 of fig. 4 a). As another example, the processor may remove moisture from the electronic device by operating an actuator (e.g., actuator 540 of fig. 5 a) to vibrate the electronic device.

As described above, according to an embodiment, the electronic device may identify whether the electronic device is submerged by identifying whether the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame without including an additional sensor.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a housing (e.g., housing 410 in fig. 4 a) comprising: a first surface (e.g., first face 410a of fig. 4 a); a second surface (e.g., second face 410b of fig. 4 a) facing the first surface and facing a portion of the user's body when the electronic device (e.g., electronic device 400 of fig. 4 a) is worn by the user; and a conductive frame (e.g., conductive frame 412 of fig. 4 a) disposed between the first surface and the second surface and including a through hole (e.g., first through hole 413 of fig. 4 a); a first electrode (e.g., first electrode 441 of fig. 4 a) spaced apart from and movable within the through-hole, a portion of the first electrode protruding outside the conductive frame; a second electrode (e.g., second electrode 442 of fig. 4 a) disposed on the second surface and in contact with the portion of the user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user; and a processor (e.g., processor 550 of fig. 5 a); wherein the processor may be configured to identify whether the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame in response to identifying the specified event; obtaining information about the user's body through the first electrode and the second electrode based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame; and based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame, avoiding obtaining information.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to identify that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame based on identifying that the impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame is less than or equal to the reference value, and to identify that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame based on identifying that the impedance value exceeds the reference value.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise an impedance measurement circuit (e.g., impedance measurement circuit 520 of fig. 5 a) within the housing and at least one switch (e.g., at least one switch 530 of fig. 5 a) within the housing; wherein the processor may be configured to identify, in response to identifying the specified event, whether the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame based on an impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame by electrically connecting the impedance measurement circuit with the first electrode and the conductive frame via the at least one switch; based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame, the conductive frame is disconnected from the impedance measurement circuit via the at least one switch, and the impedance measurement circuit is connected to the first electrode and the second electrode via the at least one switch.

According to an embodiment, the processor may obtain the information by the first electrode in contact with another part of the user's body and the second electrode in contact with the part of the user's body based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame.

According to an embodiment, specifying an event may include detecting execution of software for providing information.

According to an embodiment, the designating event may include identifying that a mode of the electronic device changes from a first designated mode to a second designated mode.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to provide a notification to the user as to whether the electronic device is submerged based on the identification that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise an actuator disposed within the housing; wherein the processor may be configured to vibrate the electronic device through an actuator (e.g., actuator 540 of fig. 5 a) based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame.

According to an embodiment, the first electrode may extend from the interior of the housing in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first surface faces.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include a sealing member (e.g., sealing member 470 of fig. 4 a) sealing the through-hole by surrounding the first electrode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include a first non-conductive member (e.g., first non-conductive member 461 in fig. 4 a) and a second non-conductive member (e.g., second non-conductive member 462 in fig. 4 a) spaced apart from each other and coupled to the conductive frame to contact the inner surface of the through hole and the first electrode.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include: a housing (e.g., housing 410 in fig. 4 a) comprising a first surface (e.g., first surface 410a of fig. 4 a), a second surface (e.g., second surface 410b of fig. 4 a) facing the first surface and facing a portion of a user's body when the electronic device (e.g., electronic device 400 of fig. 4 a) is worn by the user, a conductive frame disposed between the first surface and the second surface and comprising a first through-hole (e.g., first through-hole 413 of fig. 4 a) and a second through-hole (e.g., second through-hole 414 of fig. 4 a); a display (e.g., display 420 of fig. 4 a) disposed on the first surface; a first electrode (e.g., first electrode 441 of fig. 4 a) spaced apart from and movable within the inner surface of the first through-hole, and a portion of the first electrode protruding outside the conductive frame; a second electrode (e.g., second electrode 442 of fig. 4 a) disposed on the second surface and in contact with the portion of the user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user; a third electrode (e.g., third electrode 443 of fig. 4 a) spaced apart from and movable within the inner surface of the second via, and a portion of the third electrode protruding outside the conductive frame; a fourth electrode (e.g., fourth electrode 444 of fig. 4 a) disposed on the second surface and spaced apart from the second electrode and in contact with the portion of the user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user; and a processor, wherein the processor may be configured to identify whether the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame in response to identifying the specified event; obtaining information about the user's body via the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame and identifying that the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame; and based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame or the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame, refraining from obtaining the information.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to identify that the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame based on identifying that the impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame or the third electrode and the conductive frame is less than or equal to a reference value, and to identify that the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame based on identifying that the impedance value exceeds the reference value.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to obtain information via the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode and the fourth electrode in contact with different parts of the user's body based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame and identifying that the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame.

According to an embodiment, the processor may be configured to provide a notification to the user that the electronic device has been submerged through the display based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame or that the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise an actuator (e.g., the actuator 540 of fig. 5 a) disposed within the housing, wherein the processor may be configured to vibrate the electronic device through the actuator based on identifying that the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further comprise a first sealing member (e.g., the first sealing member 471 of fig. 4 a) sealing the first through-hole by surrounding the first electrode and a second sealing member sealing the second through-hole by surrounding the third electrode.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include a first non-conductive member (e.g., the first non-conductive member 461 of fig. 4 a) and a second non-conductive member spaced apart from each other and coupled to the conductive frame to contact the inner surface of the first through hole and the first electrode, and a third non-conductive member (e.g., the second non-conductive member 462 of fig. 4 a) and a fourth non-conductive member spaced apart from each other and coupled to the conductive frame to contact the inner surface of the second through hole and the third electrode.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic device may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a household appliance. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device is not limited to the electronic device described above.

It should be understood that the various embodiments of the disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features set forth herein to the particular embodiments, and include various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives to the corresponding embodiments. With respect to the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used to refer to like or related elements. It is to be understood that the singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more things unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of the phrases such as "a or B", "at least one of a and B", "at least one of a or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B or C" may include all possible combinations of items enumerated together or any of the corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, terms such as "1 st" and "2 nd," or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another component and not to otherwise (e.g., importance or order) limit the components. It will be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being "coupled," "connected," or "connected" to another element (e.g., a second element) with or without the term "operably" or "communicatively," it can be directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or via the third element.

As used in connection with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "module" may include units implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with other terms (e.g., "logic," "logic block," "portion," or "circuit"). A module may be a single integrated component, or a minimal unit, or portion thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as described herein may be implemented as software (e.g., program 140) comprising one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory 136 or external memory 138) readable by a machine (e.g., electronic device 101). For example, a processor (e.g., processor 120) of a machine (e.g., electronic device 101) may invoke at least one of one or more instructions stored in a storage medium and execute the instructions under control of the processor with or without one or more other components. This causes the machine to be operated to perform at least one function in accordance with the invoked at least one instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein the term "non-transitory" merely means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not include signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), but the term does not distinguish between semi-permanent storage of data in the storage medium and temporary storage of data in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be transacted as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium, e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), or distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store, e.g., playStore ^TM, or distributed directly between two user devices, e.g., smartphones. If distributed online, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in a machine-readable storage medium, such as a memory of a manufacturer server, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, each of the above-described components (e.g., a module or a program) may include a single entity or a plurality of entities, and some of the plurality of entities may be separately provided in different components. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. Alternatively or additionally, multiple components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, according to various embodiments, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as performed by the corresponding component of the plurality of components prior to integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by a module, a program, or another component may be performed sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more operations may be performed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising:

A housing including a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface and facing a portion of a user's body when the electronic device is worn by a user, and a conductive frame disposed between the first surface and the second surface and including a first through hole;

A first electrode spaced apart from an inner surface of the first through hole and movable within the first through hole, a portion of the first electrode protruding outside the conductive frame;

A second electrode disposed on the second surface and in contact with the portion of the user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user; and

At least one processor;

wherein the at least one processor is configured to:

in response to identifying a specified event, identifying whether the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame,

Obtaining information about the user's body through the first electrode and the second electrode based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame; and

Based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame, obtaining the information is avoided.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame based on identifying that an impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame is less than or equal to a reference value; and

Based on identifying that the impedance value exceeds the reference value, the first electrode is identified as electrically disconnected from the conductive frame.

3. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising:

an impedance measurement circuit within the housing; and

At least one switch within the housing,

Wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

In response to identifying the specified event, identifying whether the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame based on an impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame by electrically connecting the impedance measurement circuit with the first electrode and the conductive frame via the at least one switch, and

Based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame, the conductive frame is electrically disconnected from the impedance measurement circuit via the at least one switch, and the impedance measurement circuit is connected to the first electrode and the second electrode via the at least one switch.

4. The electronic device of any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to obtain the information through the first electrode in contact with another portion of the user's body and the second electrode in contact with the portion of the user's body based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame.

5. The electronic device of any of claims 1-4, wherein the specified event comprises detection of execution of software for providing the information.

6. The electronic device of any of claims 1-5, wherein the specified event includes identifying that a mode of the electronic device changes from a first specified mode to a second specified mode.

7. The electronic device of any of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to provide a notification to the user as to whether the electronic device is submerged based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame.

8. The electronic device of any one of claims 1-7, further comprising:

an actuator disposed within the housing and configured to move the actuator,

Wherein the at least one processor is further configured to vibrate the electronic device through the actuator based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame.

9. The electronic device of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first electrode extends from an interior of the housing in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first surface faces.

10. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a sealing member that seals the first through hole by surrounding the first electrode.

11. The electronic device of any one of claims 1-10, further comprising first and second non-conductive members spaced apart from each other and coupled to the conductive frame to contact an inner surface of the first via and the first electrode.

12. The electronic device of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the housing further comprises a second through hole different from the first through hole;

wherein the electronic device further comprises:

a third electrode spaced apart from an inner surface of the second through hole, movable within the second through hole, and a portion of the third electrode protruding outside the conductive frame; and

A fourth electrode disposed on the second surface and spaced apart from the second electrode and in contact with the portion of the user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user;

Wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

In response to identifying the specified event, identifying whether the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame,

Obtaining information about the user's body through the first electrode, the second electrode, the third electrode, and the fourth electrode based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame and identifying that the third electrode is electrically disconnected from the conductive frame; and

Based on identifying that the first electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame or that the third electrode is electrically connected to the conductive frame, obtaining the information is avoided.

13. The electronic device of any of claims 1-12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

Identifying that the first electrode or the third electrode is electrically connected with the conductive frame based on identifying that an impedance value between the first electrode and the conductive frame or between the third electrode and the conductive frame is less than or equal to a reference value; and

Based on identifying that the impedance value exceeds the reference value, the first electrode or the third electrode is identified as electrically disconnected from the conductive frame.

14. A method of operation of an electronic device, the method of operation comprising steps performed by at least one processor of an electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A computer readable storage medium for an electronic device, the computer readable storage medium storing at least one program comprising instructions for execution by at least one processor of the electronic device of any one of claims 1-13.