US 10,092,197 B2Granted

Reflective surfaces for PPG signal detection

AssigneeApple Inc.

InventorChin San Han

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Abstract

Reflective surfaces for the apertures of PPG optical components in PPG systems is disclosed. In a PPG system or device, the addition of reflective surfaces around, under, or near the apertures of the optical components can enhance the amount of light received by the light detector. As a result, the measured PPG signal strength can be higher and more accurate compared to the same PPG device without reflective surfaces. The reflective surfaces can reflect and/or recycle light that is incident upon the reflective surfaces back into the skin for eventual capture of the light by the light detectors. In some examples, the reflective surfaces can be diffuse or specular reflectors and/or can be configured to selectively reflect one or more wavelengths of light. In some examples, the back crystal and/or component mounting plane of the PPG system can be made of the same material as the reflective surfaces.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An electronic device comprising:

one or more apertures configured to provide one or more openings through a housing of the device, the one or more apertures including an outer region and an inner region;
one or more ledges formed from a portion of the housing of the device and located in the outer region of the one or more apertures;
one or more windows having a front surface and a rear surface, the rear surface opposite to the front surface and the rear surface located closer to one or more light emitters than the front surface, wherein a portion of the rear surface of the one or more windows is attached to the one or more ledges, wherein the one or more windows are separate and distinct from the one or more ledges, wherein a width of the one or more windows along the front and rear surfaces is greater than a width of the inner region of the one or more apertures;
the one or more light emitters configured to generate one or more light through the one or more apertures and the one or more windows;
one or more sensors configured to detect a reflection of the one or more light;
one or more reflective surfaces included in the device, in contact with the one or more apertures, located on an exterior surface of the housing of the device, and disposed on the front surface of the one or more windows, wherein the one or more reflective surfaces are separate and distinct from the one or more apertures, the one or more reflective surfaces are located in the outer region of the one or more apertures;
and
logic coupled to the one or more sensors and configured to detect a signal from the one or more reflected light.

5 more elements

A method for determining a physiological signal from an electronic device, the method comprising:

emitting light using one or more light emitters through an inner region of one or more apertures and through a first portion of one or more windows to generate one or more light, wherein the first portion of the one or more windows is located in the inner region of the one or more apertures;
the one or more apertures configured to provide one or more openings through a housing of the device, wherein a second portion of a rear surface of the one or more windows is attached to one or more ledges, wherein the one or more ledges are formed from a portion of the housing of the device and are separate and distinct from the one or more windows,
wherein the one or more ledges are located in an outer region of the one or more apertures,
wherein the rear surface of the one or more windows is located closer to the one or more light emitters than a front surface of the one or more windows,
wherein a width of the one or more windows along the front and rear surfaces is greater than a width of the inner region of the one or more apertures;
receiving light using one or more sensors from a reflection of the one or more light off at least one or more reflective surfaces included in the device, the reflective surfaces in contact with the one or more apertures, located on an exterior surface of the housing of the device, and disposed on the front surface of the one or more windows, wherein the reflective surfaces are separate and distinct from the one or more apertures;
and
determining the physiological signal from the received light.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/470,834Filed 27 Aug 2014
Published: US 2016/0058309 A13 Mar 2016
Granted: 9 Oct 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

A61B 5/02427
Using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation: details of sensor
A61B 5/0013
Characterised by the type of physiological signal transmitted: medical image data
A61B 5/02438
Measuring pulse rate or heart rate: with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
A61B 5/0261
Measuring blood flow: using optical means, e.g. infrared light