Nose pad assembly for measuring heart rate, and optical apparatus and method employing said assembly

A nose pad assembly for measuring heart rate, the nose pad assembly comprising:

• a first cushioning element and a second cushioning element, wherein a first inner surface of the first cushioning element and a second inner surface of the second cushioning element are capable of redirecting light;
• wherein at least one of the first inner surface or the second inner surface is made of at least one of:
• a reflective material or a non-reflective material that is coated with a reflective material;
• a light transmitting element arranged in the first cushioning element;
• a light sensing element arranged in the second cushioning element;
• and
• at least one processor arranged in a bridge portion of an optical apparatus in which the nose pad assembly is employed, wherein when the optical apparatus is worn by a user, the bridge portion is in proximity of the user's nose such that the first cushioning element rests on a first side of the user's nose and the second cushioning element rests on a second side of the user's nose, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
• control the light transmitting element to emit light, wherein the light passes through the user's nose towards the light sensing element, and wherein at least a portion of the light is redirected by at least one of:
• the first inner surface, the second inner surface, during said passage;
• and
• process sensor data, collected by the light sensing element, to determine the heart rate of the user.