( 12 ) United States Patent
`Ness et al .
`
`( 10 ) Patent No . : US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`* Apr . 2 , 2019
`
`US010247670B2
`
`( 52 )
`
`A61B 5 / 024
`( 2006 . 01 )
`( 2006 . 01 )
`A61B 5 / 08
`( 2006 . 01 )
`A61B 5 / 145
`U . S . CI .
`CPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GOIN 21 / 55 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; A61B 5 / 00
`( 2013 . 01 ) ; A61B 5 / 0059 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; GOIN
`21 / 4738 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; A61B 5 / 0002 ( 2013 . 01 ) ;
`A61B 5 / 021 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; A61B 5 / 024 ( 2013 . 01 ) ;
`A61B 5 / 0816 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; A61B 5 / 14532
`( 2013 . 01 ) ; A61B 5 / 14542 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; A61B
`5 / 681 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; A61B 5 / 7203 ( 2013 . 01 ) ;
`GOIN 2201 / 0221 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; GOIN 2201 / 0625
`( 2013 . 01 )
`Field of Classification Search
`USPC
`. . . . . . . . 600 / 476
`. . . . . . . . . . .
`See application file for complete search history .
`References Cited
`U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6 , 115 , 621 A
`9 / 2000 Chin
`6 , 343 , 233 B1
`1 / 2002 Chin et al .
`6 , 491 , 647 B1 * 12 / 2002 Bridger . .
`briager . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`7 , 890 , 153 B2
`2 / 2011 Hoarau
`8 , 005 , 624 B1
`8 / 2011 Starr
`( Continued )
`Primary Examiner — Nicole F Lavert
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm — Joseph F . Guihan
`ABSTRACT
`( 57 )
`An electronic device includes one or more light emitters for
`emitting light toward an object and one or more light
`detectors for collecting light exiting the object . A reflective
`coating , surface , or surface finish can be applied adjacent to
`the area to which light is emitted and / or through which light
`exits in order to increase the light collected by the light
`detector . The reflective coating can be oriented so as to
`reflect light back into the object .
`20 Claims , 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`( 58 )
`
`( 56 )
`
`A61B 5 / 021
`128 / 900
`
`( 54 ) REFLECTIVE SURFACE TREATMENTS FOR
`OPTICAL SENSORS
`( 71 ) Applicant : Apple Inc . , Cupertino , CA ( US )
`( 72 ) Inventors : Trevor J . Ness , Santa Cruz , CA ( US ) ;
`Chin San Han , Mountain View , CA
`( US ) ; David I . Nazzaro , Groveland ,
`MA ( US ) ; Marcelo M . Lamego ,
`Cupertino , CA ( US ) ; Naoto Matsuyuki ,
`Kasugai ( JP ) ; Wolf Oetting , San Jose ,
`CA ( US )
`( 73 ) Assignee : Apple Inc . , Cupertino , CA ( US )
`( * ) Notice :
`Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U . S . C . 154 ( b ) by 0 days .
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis
`claimer .
`( 21 ) Appl . No . : 16 / 114 , 003
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Aug . 27 , 2018
`Prior Publication Data
`( 65 )
`US 2018 / 0364162 A1 Dec . 20 , 2018
`Related U . S . Application Data
`( 63 ) Continuation of application No . 14 / 740 , 196 , filed on
`Jun . 15 , 2015 , now Pat . No . 10 , 078 , 052 .
`( 60 ) Provisional application No . 62 / 043 , 294 , filed on Aug .
`28 , 2014 .
`Int . Ci .
`A61B 5 / 04
`GOIN 21 / 55
`GOIN 21 / 47
`A61B 5 / 00
`A61B 5 / 021
`
`( 2006 . 01 )
`( 2014 . 01 )
`( 2006 . 01 )
`( 2006 . 01 )
`( 2006 . 01 )
`
`( 51 )
`
`1007
`
`108
`
`102
`104
`
`106
`
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`IPR2022-01466
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`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`Page 2
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9 , 314 , 197 B2
`4 / 2016 Eisen et al .
`2005 / 0230603 A1 * 10 / 2005 Langland
`1 / 2013 Pologe
`2013 / 0006074 Al
`* cited by examiner
`
`GOIV 8 / 14
`250 / 221
`
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`atent
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`Apr . 2 , 2019
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`1007
`
`108
`
`102
`104
`
`106
`
`102
`
`maal
`
`1
`
`FIG . IB
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`atent
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`Apr . 2 , 2019
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`zásobzor
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`FIG . 2B
`
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`MASIMO 2023
`Apple v. Masimo
`IPR2022-01466
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`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Apr . 2 , 2019
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
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`-5-
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`MASIMO 2023
`Apple v. Masimo
`IPR2022-01466
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Apr . 2 , 2019
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`402
`
`-
`
`- - - 402
`
`-6-
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`MASIMO 2023
`Apple v. Masimo
`IPR2022-01466
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Apr . 2 , 2019
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`602
`600
`
`604
`
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`
`-7-
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`MASIMO 2023
`Apple v. Masimo
`IPR2022-01466
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Apr . 2 , 2019
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`EMIT LIGHT TOWARD A MEASUREMENT
`AREA
`
`702
`
`REFLECT LIGHT EXITING THE MEASUREMENT
`AREA FROM A FIRST SUBAREA BACK INTO
`MEASUREMENT AREA
`
`704
`
`RECEIVE LIGHT EXITING THE MEASUREMENT - 706
`AREA FROM A SECOND SUBAREA
`
`FIG . 7
`
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`Apple v. Masimo
`IPR2022-01466
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`

`

`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`REFLECTIVE SURFACE TREATMENTS FOR
`OPTICAL SENSORS
`
`larly , the light detector can be oriented to receive light
`exiting a portion of the measurement site most adjacent to
`the light detector ( hereinafter the collection area ” ) . In many
`cases , the illumination area may be adjacent to the collection
`5 area . For example , in one embodiment , the illumination area
`and the collection area can be spaced one centimeter apart .
`The electronic device can also include one or more
`This application is a continuation of U . S . patent applica -
`reflectors positioned on or nearby the surface and adjacent to
`tion Ser . No . 14 / 740 , 196 , filed Jun . 15 , 2015 , now U . S . Pat .
`the one or more apertures defined therein . In some examples ,
`No . 10 , 078 , 052 , issued Sep . 18 , 2018 , which claims priority
`to U . S . provisional patent application No . 62 / 043 , 294 , filed 10 the reflectors can be formed from mirrored films and can be
`Aug . 28 , 2014 , both of which are hereby incorporated by
`positioned around the perimeter of the apertures .
`Additional embodiments described herein may reference
`reference herein in their entireties .
`lenses positioned within each of the apertures defined by the
`bottom surface , disposed respectively over the light emitter
`FIELD
`15 and the light detector . One or more of the lenses may be
`This disclosure relates generally to sensor devices , and
`formed from the same material as the surface , although this
`more particularly to electronic devices incorporating one or
`is not required . In one embodiment , one or more of the
`more optical sensing systems .
`lenses can be configured to diffuse light . In other embodi
`ments , one or more of the lenses can be configured to focus
`BACKGROUND
`20 light onto a particular point or along a particular direction .
`In other embodiments , one or more of the lenses can be
`An electronic device can include an optical sensing sys -
`configured to polarize light to a particular orientation . In
`tem for quantifying surface or subsurface characteristics of
`other embodiments , one or more of the lenses may be
`an object onto which the electronic device is placed . The
`configured to exhibit transparency to a first frequency band
`optical sensing system can include a light emitter to illumi - 25 of light and to exhibit opacity to a second frequency band of
`nate the object with light that may be absorbed or reflected
`light . In one example , the first frequency band of light can
`by the object in a manner related to the characteristics of the
`be infrared light and the second frequency band of light can
`surface or subsurface thereof . The optical sensing system
`be green light . In some embodiments ,
`a reflector as
`may also include a light detector to generate electrical
`described above can be positioned around the perimeter of
`signals corresponding to light reflected from the object as a 30 a bottom surface of a lens . In other embodiments , a lens can
`result of the illumination . These signals can be conveyed to
`be formed from a multi - layered laminate material and a
`the electronic device by the optical sensing system so that
`reflector can be interstitially disposed between the layers
`the electronic device can quantify characteristics of the
`thereof . In some examples , each lens can be configured to
`provide the same functionality , although this is not required
`surface or subsurface of the object .
`In many cases , the electronic device may be undesirably 35 of all embodiments . For example , in some cases , different
`responsive to noise ( e . g . , resulting from ambient light )
`lenses can be configured to provide different functionality .
`present in the signals conveyed to it by an optical sensing
`For example , a lens positioned over a light emitter can be
`configured to focus light from the light emitter into the
`system .
`measurement site whereas a lens positioned over a light
`SUMMARY
`40 detector can be configured to focus light exiting the mea
`surement site onto the light detector .
`Still further embodiments described herein reference a
`Certain embodiments described herein reference an elec -
`method of optical sensing , including at least the operations
`tronic device configured to quantify subsurface characteris -
`of emitting light toward a measurement site of an object ,
`tics of an object onto which the electronic device is placed
`In one aspect , an electronic device can be adapted to obtain 45 receiving light exiting a first sub - area of the measurement
`physiological data from a biological subject after being
`site , and reflecting light exiting a second sub - area of the
`placed in contact with or proximate to a surface of the
`measurement site back into the measurement site .
`subject . For example , an electronic device such as a wear
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`able fitness device can be positioned against the skin of a
`user ' s wrist ( hereinafter the " measurement site ” ) and can 50
`Reference will now be made to representative embodi
`obtain therefrom certain physiological data about the user
`such as heart rate , respiration rate , blood oxygenation , blood
`ments illustrated in the accompanying figures . It should be
`understood that the following descriptions are not intended
`pressure , and so on .
`In many embodiments , an electronic device ( such as a
`to limit the disclosure to one preferred embodiment . To the
`smart watch , fitness device , cellular phone , tablet computer , 55 contrary , each is intended to cover alternatives , modifica
`other computing device , exercise equipment , exercise moni -
`tions , and equivalents as may be included within the spirit
`tor , physiology monitor , and so on ) can include an optical
`and scope of the described embodiments and as defined by
`sensing system positioned behind or within one or more
`the appended claims .
`apertures defined within a bottom surface of the electronic
`FIG . 1A depicts a top plan view of an example electronic
`device . The optical sensing system can include a light 60 device .
`emitter ( e . g . , a light emitting diode ) for illuminating a
`FIG . IB depicts a bottom plan view of the example
`measurement site of an object and a light detector ( e . g . , a
`electronic device of FIG . 1A , showing separated apertures
`photodiode , a phototransistor , and / or an optical image sen -
`associated with an optical sensing system defined within a
`sor ) for receiving light reflecting from the measurement site .
`bottom surface of the example electronic device .
`In one aspect , the light emitter can be oriented to emit light 65
`FIG . 2A depicts a simplified cross - section view of a light
`toward a portion of the measurement site most adjacent to
`emitter and a light detector of an optical sensing system
`the light emitter ( hereinafter the “ illumination area ” ) . Simi -
`taken through section A - A of FIG . 1B .
`
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`Apple v. Masimo
`IPR2022-01466
`
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`

`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`30
`
`modifications , and equivalents as can be included within the
`FIG . 2B depicts the simplified cross - section view of FIG .
`spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by
`2A , showing a set of example light reflection and absorption
`the appended claims .
`paths from the light emitter , through a measurement site of
`Embodiments described herein reference systems and
`a subject , to the light detector of the optical sensing system .
`FIG . 3A depicts a bottom plan view of a wearable 5 methods for increasing the speed , sensitivity , accuracy ,
`an optical sensing system imple
`precision , and / or reliability of optical sensing systems con
`electronic device showing an optical sensing system imple
`figured for use with small form factor electronic devices ,
`mented with one example of a reflector .
`FIG . 3B depicts an example cross - section of FIG . 3A
`such as wearable devices , although the various systems and
`methods described herein are not limited to particular form
`taken through section B - B , showing a simplified view of the 10 factors and can apply equally to larger embodiments . Fur
`optical sensing system of FIG . 3A .
`ther , it should be appreciated that the various embodiments
`FIG . 3C depicts an alternative example simplified cross
`described herein , as well as the functionality , operation ,
`section of FIG . 3A taken through section B - B , showing a
`components , and capabilities thereof may be combined with
`simplified view of the optical sensing system of FIG . 3A
`other elements as necessary , and so any physical , functional ,
`implemented with a bottom surface having a convex curva - 1
`flace having a convex curva - 15 or operational discussion of any element , feature , structure ,
`ture .
`or interrelation is not intended to be limited solely to a
`FIG . 3D depicts the simplified cross - section of FIG . 3A ,
`particular embodiment to the exclusion of others . Moreover ,
`although many embodiments described herein reference
`showing a set of example light reflection and absorption
`paths from a light emitter , through a measurement site of a
`optical sensing systems configured to provide functionality
`subject , to a light detector of the optical sensing system of 20 such as fitness or health tracking or physiological data
`collection to a wearable electronic device , one may appre
`FIG . 3A .
`FIG . 3E depicts an alternative example simplified cross -
`ciate that the various systems and methods described herein
`are not limited to use of optical sensing systems in this
`section of FIG . 3A , showing a set of example light absorp
`tion and reflection paths from a light emitter , through a
`manner . In other words , the various optical sensing systems
`measurement site of a subject , to a light detector of the 25 as described herein ( and methods associated therewith ) can
`optical sensing system of FIG . 3A implemented with a
`be used to detect , sense , or quantify other biological or
`non - biological properties of a user , another biological sub
`bottom surface having a convex curvature .
`FIG . 4A depicts a bottom surface of an example electronic
`ject , a non - biological object or surface , or for any other
`purpose . For example , an optical sensing system can be used
`device with a reflector adapted for use with an optical
`to detect subsurface characteristics of a material during a
`sensing system .
`manufacturing process to determine whether the material
`FIG . 4B depicts a bottom surface of an example electronic
`should be rejected or accepted . In another example , an
`device with another reflector adapted for use with an optical
`optical sensing system can be disposed onto or into a
`sensing system .
`veterinary or medical diagnostic tool ( e . g . , wand , pen , etc . )
`FIG . 5 depicts a bottom surface of an example electronic 35 that can be placed against a patient ' s skin in order to obtain
`device with another reflector adapted for use with an optical
`physiological characteristics of said patient . Such a medical
`sensing system .
`diagnostic tool can be used , in one example , with multiple
`FIG . 6A depicts a bottom surface of an example electronic
`patients in an emergency setting to assist veterinary or
`device with another reflector adapted for use with an optical
`medical professionals with triage decisions .
`sensing system .
`Many embodiments described herein reference an optical
`FIG . 6B depicts a bottom surface of an example electronic
`sensing system disposed below a convex surface defining
`device with another reflector adapted for use with an optical
`two apertures symmetrically spaced about the principal axis
`sensing system .
`of the curve . A light emitter of the optical sensing system can
`FIG . 7 depicts example operations of a method of oper -
`be positioned behind one aperture and a light detector of the
`ating an optical sensing system in accordance with embodi - 45 optical sensing system can be positioned behind the other
`aperture . In this manner , when the optical sensing system is
`ments described herein .
`The use of the same or similar reference numerals in
`placed in contact with a measurement site , the light emitter
`and the light detector can be optically isolated from one
`different drawings indicates similar , related , or identical
`another by the apex of the convex curvature .
`items .
`The use of cross - hatching or shading in the accompanying 50
`More particularly , because the apex of the convex curva
`figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries
`ture is the portion of the surface extending outwardly the
`between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of
`farthest , the apex will contact the surface of a prospective
`the figures . Accordingly , neither the presence nor the
`measurement site first , thereby forming an opaque boundary
`absence of cross - hatching or shading conveys or indicates
`with the measurement site that optically partitions the illu
`any preference or requirement for particular materials , mate - 55 mination area from the collection area . In these embodi
`rial properties , element proportions , element dimensions ,
`ments , the quantity of light exiting the collection area after
`commonalities of similarly illustrated elements , or any other
`being affected by the characteristics of the subsurface of the
`characteristic , attribute , or property for any element illus
`measurement site ( hereinafter the " subsurface - affected
`light ” ) may be greater than the quantity of light reflecting
`trated in the accompanying figures .
`60 directly from the surface of the measurement site ( herein
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`after the “ surface - reflected light ” ) because surface - reflected
`light may be substantially or entirely blocked by the optical
`Reference will now be made in detail to representative
`barrier established by the convex curvature of the surface .
`embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings . It
`further embodiments can incorporate an optically reflec
`should be understood that the following descriptions are not 65 tive material disposed on , within , or adjacent to the apertures
`intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodi -
`defined by the convex surface . In these embodiments , the
`ment . To the contrary , it is intended to cover alternatives ,
`optically reflective material can be disposed about the
`
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`Apple v. Masimo
`IPR2022-01466
`
`

`

`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`In addition to the optical sensing system , the wearable
`perimeter of the apertures respectively associated with the
`electronic device can include other sensors or sensor sys
`light emitter and the light detector of the optical sensing
`tems configured to obtain physiological data from a user .
`system . More particularly , the optically reflective material
`Example sensors can include , but may not be limited to ,
`may be disposed and oriented to reflect light onto or into the
`measurement site . In this manner , both surface - reflected 5 movement sensors , orientation sensors , temperature sensors ,
`electrodermal sensors , blood pressure sensors , heart rate
`light and subsurface - affected light that exits the measure
`sensors , respiration rate sensors , oxygen saturation sensors ,
`ment site outside of the collection area can be reflected back
`plethysmographic sensors , activity sensors , pedometers ,
`into the measurement site ( hereinafter the “ recovered
`blood glucose sensors , body weight sensors , body fat sen
`light ” ) , thereby increasing the quantity of subsurface - af
`10 sors , blood alcohol sensors , dietary sensors , and so on .
`fected light received by the light detector .
`As with other embodiments described herein , an optical
`In one non - limiting alternative phrasing , these embodi
`sensing system incorporated by a wearable electronic device
`ments can incorporate reflective materials so as to direct as
`can be implemented with a light emitter and a light detector .
`much light as possible into the subsurface of the measure
`As noted above , the optical sensing system can be config
`ment site so that said light , via specular or diffuse reflection , 15 ured to measure changes in the light reflected from a
`may have one or more additional chances to be reflected
`measurement site , such as a wrist of a user .
`toward the collection area . Thus , in these embodiments , the
`As used herein , the phrases “ reflected from a measure
`ment site ” and “ exiting a measurement site ” ( in addition to
`quantity of subsurface - affected light received by the light
`detector of the optical sensing system may be greater than
`similar phrases or terminology ) generally refer to both
`the quantity of subsurface - affected light received by the light 20 surface - reflected light and to subsurface - affected light that
`detector of embodiments omitting said reflective material .
`originated from a light emitter and , via specular or diffuse
`Optical sensing system embodiments described herein
`reflection from the surface or subsurface of the measurement
`can exceed the performance of conventional optical sensing
`site , have become oriented to propagate away from the
`systems unable to discriminate between surface - reflected
`measurement site .
`light and subsurface - affected light while orienting the light 25
`More particularly , the optical sensing system of a wear
`emitter and light detector to face the same surface . Particu -
`able electronic device can orient a light emitter to illuminate
`larly , in many conventional examples , the quantity of sur -
`a portion of the user ' s wrist . As noted above , this portion of
`face - reflected light received by a light detector may pre -
`a measurement site is generally referred to herein as “ the
`dominate the quantity of subsurface - affected light received
`illumination area . " The optical sensing system can also
`by the same . As a result , many conventional optical sensing 30 orient the light detector to receive light exiting a separate
`systems require a substantial amount of data over a substan
`portion of the user ' s wrist . As noted above , this portion of
`tial period of time in order to account for the effects of noise
`the measurement site is generally referred to herein as " the
`and to detect and quantify characteristics of the measure
`collection area . ”
`In some cases , light from the light emitter may be
`ment site .
`Conversely , an electronic device incorporating optical 35 reflected ( specularly and / or diffusely ) by the surface of the
`sensing systems as described herein may quantify surface
`user ' s wrist . As noted above , this light is generally referred
`and / or subsurface characteristics of a measurement site onto
`to herein as “ the surface - reflected light . ” In other cases , light
`which the electronic device is placed with increased speed ,
`from the light emitter can penetrate the surface of the user ' s
`accuracy , and precision .
`wrist and can be absorbed or reflected ( specularly or dif
`Example electronic devices that can incorporate optical 40 fusely ) by the subsurface of the wrist . As noted above , this
`sensing systems as described herein can include , but are not
`light is generally referred to herein as “ the subsurface
`limited to , a telephone , a headset , a pulse oximeter , a digital
`affected light . " In many cases , the amount of absorption or
`media player , a tablet computing device , a laptop computer ,
`reflection provided by a particular measurement site at a
`a desktop computer , a timekeeping device , a peripheral input
`particular time may depend upon the characteristics of the
`device ( e . g . , keyboard , mouse , trackpad ) , a sports accessory 45 measurement site at that time . In other words , surface
`device , a wearable device , a medical diagnostic device , a
`reflected light may vary predictably with the characteristics
`biometric authentication device , and so on .
`of the surface of the measurement site and , similarly , sub
`For example , in one embodiment , an electronic device
`surface - affected light may vary predictably with the char
`incorporating an optical sensing system in accordance with
`acteristics of the subsurface of the measurement site .
`embodiments described herein can be worn by a user so as 50
`For example , the tissue of the user ' s wrist can absorb or
`to obtain physiological data from the user such as , but not
`reflect light differently depending on physiological charac
`limited to , heart rate data , blood pressure data , temperature
`teristics of the surface ( e . g . , skin , hair , sweat ) or subsurface
`data , oxygen level data , and so on . The wearable electronic
`( e . g . , stratum corneum of the skin , dermis , blood vessels
`device incorporating such an optical sensing system can
`beneath the skin , and so on ) of the user ' s wrist . For example ,
`provide to the user , or a third party authorized by the user , 55 sweat on the user ' s wrist can affect the quantity or quality of
`diet or nutrition information , medical reminders , physiologi
`surface - reflected light .
`cal tips or information , or other raw or processed physi -
`In another example , a user ' s heartbeat can affect the
`ological data .
`quantity or quality of subsurface - affected light received by
`In these embodiments , the optical sensing system may be
`the light detector . More particularly , the user ' s heartbeat can
`included within a housing that encloses the internal com - 60 affect an increase or decrease in the user ' s blood volume
`ponents of the wearable electronic device . In another
`within the user ' s wrist . This periodic distention and con
`example , an optical sensing system may be partially or
`traction is commonly referred to as the user ' s pulse . As a
`entirely separate from the wearable electronic device . In
`direct result of changes in the volume of blood proximate to
`these examples , the wearable electronic device can include
`the measurement site , the light absorption capacity of the
`one or more communication channels , either wired or wire - 65 measurement site may correspondingly increase or decrease
`less , to facilitate communication with the external optical
`which , in turn , can cause the amount of subsurface - affected
`light received by the light detector to increase and decrease
`sensing system .
`
`-11-
`
`MASIMO 2023
`Apple v. Masimo
`IPR2022-01466
`
`

`

`US 10 , 247 , 670 B2
`
`example , a tablet computing device , a phone device , a
`with the user ' s pulse . This type of volumetric data collection
`personal digital assistant , computer , and so on .
`via optical sensing is conventionally referred to as photop -
`The wearable electronic device 100 can be configured in
`lethysmographic data collection ( hereinafter “ PPG ” ) .
`the form of a wearable communications device . A wearable
`As noted above , the light detector of an optical sensing
`system can receive light exiting the collection area and 5 communications device may include a processor coupled
`generate electrical signals corresponding thereto . In certain
`with or in communication with a memory , one or more
`embodiments , light exiting the collection area can include a
`sensors , one or more communication interfaces , output
`component corresponding to surface - reflected light and a
`devices such as displays and speakers , one or more input
`component corresponding to subsurface - affected light . In
`devices , and a fitness or health tracking system . The com
`certain embodiments implementing an optical barrier 10 munication interfaces can provide electronic communica
`between the light emitter and light detector ( e . g . , the apex of
`tions between the communications device and any external
`a concave surface associated with the optical sensing sys -
`communication network , device or platform , such as but not
`tem ) , the component corresponding to the surface - reflected
`limited to wireless interfaces , Bluetooth interfaces , universal
`light can be substantially reduced or eliminated . In these
`serial bus interfaces , Wi - Fi interfaces , TCP / IP interfaces ,
`embodiments , the electrical signals generated by the light 15 network communications interfaces , or any conventional
`detector may correspond substantially only to subsurface -
`communication interfaces . The wearable communications
`affected light .
`device may provide information regarding time , health ,
`In many embodiments , the electrical signals generated by
`statuses of externally connected or communicating devices
`the light detector of the optical sensing system can be
`and / or software executing on such devices , messages , video ,
`conveyed as data to the wearable electronic device which , in 20 operating commands , and so forth ( and may receive any of
`turn , can utilize the data to quantify one or more physiologi -
`the foregoing from an external device ) , in addition to
`cal characteristics of the user at that time . In many examples ,
`communications . For simplicity of illustration , the wearable
`data from the light detector can include information about
`electronic device 100 is depicted in FIG . 1A without many
`the collected light such as the chromaticity , brightness ,
`of these elements , each of which may be included , partially ,
`frequency , and / or luminance of the light .
`25 optionally , or entirely , within a housing 102 .
`Optical sensing systems as