Patents by Inventor Chin San HAN

Chin San HAN has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11166641
    Abstract: This relates to an electronic device with dynamically reconfigurable apertures to account for different skin types, usage conditions, and environmental conditions and methods for measuring the user's physiological signals. The device can include one or more light emitters, one or more light sensors, and a material whose optical properties can be changed in one or more locations to adjust the optical path and the effective separation distances between the one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors or the size, location, or shape of the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the material can be a liquid crystal material, MEMS shutter layer, or light guide, which can form the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the light emitters or light sensors or both can be an array of individually addressable optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Chin San Han
  • Patent number: 10874348
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to wearable devices and methods for measuring a photoplethysmographic signal. The wearable devices and methods may include a force sensor that provides input used for motion-noise filtering to obtain improved PPG signals. Feedback from the force sensor may also be used to indicate whether the amount of pressure exerted by the device should be adjusted, or whether the device should be switched to a locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chin San Han, Vivek Venugopal, Ueyn L. Block, Nicholas Paul Joseph Allec
  • Publication number: 20200315473
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to wearable devices and methods for measuring a photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal. The wearable devices and methods described herein are capable of obtaining PPG signals by employing a PPG sensor array configured to receive light at angles associated with a high perfusion index. Viewing components may be coupled to the PPG sensor array to effect transmission of light at these preferential angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Rui L. Peterson, Chin San Han
  • Patent number: 10687717
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to wearable devices and methods for measuring a photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal. The wearable devices and methods described herein are capable of obtaining PPG signals by employing a PPG sensor array configured to receive light at angles associated with a high perfusion index. Viewing components may be coupled to the PPG sensor array to effect transmission of light at these preferential angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Rui L. Peterson, Chin San Han
  • Patent number: 10317200
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to wearable devices and methods for detecting relative surface orientation. The wearable devices and methods may include a multi-mode sensor comprising emitter-detector combinations (e.g., sets or pairs) that have various spacings between the light emitter and the photodetector. Proximity curves can be generated based upon the various emitter-detector pair spacings, and used to assess surface distance and angular orientation of the wearable device to a body surface of an individual. In some variations, location and/or orientation of the device relative to the body surface is determined based on mapping data acquired by one or more emitter-detector pairs to surface distance (z distance) values based on proximity curve data stored in a memory of a device controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chin San Han, Brian R. Land
  • Patent number: 10247670
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Ness, Chin San Han, David I. Nazzaro, Marcelo M. Lamego, Naoto Matsuyuki, Wolf Oetting
  • Publication number: 20190086331
    Abstract: A photoplethysmographic (PPG) device is disclosed. The PPG device can include one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors to generate the multiple light paths for measuring a PPG signal and perfusion indices of a user. The multiple light paths between each pair of light emitters and light detectors can include different separation distances to generate both an accurate PPG signal and a perfusion index value to accommodate a variety of users and usage conditions. In some examples, the multiple light paths can include the same separation distances for noise cancellation due to artifacts resulting from, for example, tilt and/or pull of the device, a user's hair, a user's skin pigmentation, and/or motion. The PPG device can further include one or more lenses and/or reflectors to increase the signal strength and/or and to obscure the optical components and associated wiring from being visible to a user's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Chin San HAN, Ueyn BLOCK, Brian R. LAND, Nevzat Akin KESTELLI, Serhan ISIKMAN, Albert WANG, Justin SHI
  • Patent number: 10215698
    Abstract: A photoplethysmographic (PPG) device is disclosed. The PPG device can include one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors to generate the multiple light paths for measuring a PPG signal and perfusion indices of a user. The multiple light paths between each pair of light emitters and light detectors can include different separation distances to generate both an accurate PPG signal and a perfusion index value to accommodate a variety of users and usage conditions. In some examples, the multiple light paths can include the same separation distances for noise cancellation due to artifacts resulting from, for example, tilt and/or pull of the device, a user's hair, a user's skin pigmentation, and/or motion. The PPG device can further include one or more lenses and/or reflectors to increase the signal strength and/or and to obscure the optical components and associated wiring from being visible to a user's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chin San Han, Ueyn Block, Brian R. Land, Nevzat Akin Kestelli, Serhan Isikman, Albert Wang, Justin Shi
  • Patent number: 10200516
    Abstract: Interlocking first member and optical members and methods of their manufacture. A component formed from an interlocking first member and optical member, where the first member includes a recess formed within a surface and the optical member is disposed in the recess. The recess of the first member may include a recess geometry and the optical member may include a member geometry that may correspond to the recess geometry. Additionally, the interlocking component formed from the first member and optical member may be formed by a coupling process. The coupling process may include sintering the first member and the optical member, bonding the optical member to the first member or providing a compression-load or fit between the first member and the optical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: David I. Nazzaro, Naoto Matsuyuki, Raul A. Molina, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Chin San Han
  • Publication number: 20190015000
    Abstract: This relates to an electronic device with dynamically reconfigurable apertures to account for different skin types, usage conditions, and environmental conditions and methods for measuring the user's physiological signals. The device can include one or more light emitters, one or more light sensors, and a material whose optical properties can be changed in one or more locations to adjust the optical path and the effective separation distances between the one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors or the size, location, or shape of the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the material can be a liquid crystal material, MEMS shutter layer, or light guide, which can form the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the light emitters or light sensors or both can be an array of individually addressable optical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventor: Chin San HAN
  • Publication number: 20190000331
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Chin San HAN
  • Publication number: 20180364162
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Trevor J. Ness, Chin San Han, David I. Nazzaro, Marcelo M. Lamego, Naoto Matsuyuki, Wolf Oetting
  • Publication number: 20180337325
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are monitoring systems and sensors for physiological measurements. The sensors can be multi-element piezo sensors capable of generating multiple electrical signals, whereby the monitoring systems can receive the multiple electrical signals to analyze the user's vital signs along multiple regions of the user's body. In some examples, the piezo sensor can include one or more corrugations, such as peaks and valleys, to create localized regions with increased mechanical response to force. The sensitivity and resolution of the piezo sensor can be enhanced by further locating electrode sections at the corrugations, where the electrode sections can be electrically isolated and independently operable from other electrode sections. Traces electrically connecting an electrode section to, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Chin San HAN, German A. ALVAREZ, Santiago QUIJANO, Stuart W. WENZEL
  • Patent number: 10117587
    Abstract: This relates to an electronic device with dynamically reconfigurable apertures to account for different skin types, usage conditions, and environmental conditions and methods for measuring the user's physiological signals. The device can include one or more light emitters, one or more light sensors, and a material whose optical properties can be changed in one or more locations to adjust the optical path and the effective separation distances between the one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors or the size, location, or shape of the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the material can be a liquid crystal material, MEMS shutter layer, or light guide, which can form the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the light emitters or light sensors or both can be an array of individually addressable optical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Chin San Han
  • Patent number: 10092197
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Chin San Han
  • Patent number: 10078052
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Ness, Chin San Han, David I. Nazzaro, Marcelo M. Lamego, Naoto Matsuyuki, Wolf Oetting
  • Publication number: 20160310027
    Abstract: This relates to an electronic device with dynamically reconfigurable apertures to account for different skin types, usage conditions, and environmental conditions and methods for measuring the user's physiological signals. The device can include one or more light emitters, one or more light sensors, and a material whose optical properties can be changed in one or more locations to adjust the optical path and the effective separation distances between the one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors or the size, location, or shape of the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the material can be a liquid crystal material, MEMS shutter layer, or light guide, which can form the one or more dynamically reconfigurable apertures. In some examples, the light emitters or light sensors or both can be an array of individually addressable optical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventor: Chin San HAN
  • Publication number: 20160287181
    Abstract: A PPG signal may be obtained from a pulse oximeter, which employs a light emitter and a light sensor to measure the perfusion of blood to the skin of a user. However, the signal may be compromised by noise due to motion artifacts. To address the presence of motion artifacts, examples of the present disclosure can receive light information from each of two light guides, one in contact with the tissue of the user and one not in contact with the tissue of the user. First light information can be obtained from the first light guide, and second light information can be obtained from the second light guide. A heart rate signal can then be computed from the first and second light information, for example, by using blind source separation and/or cross-correlation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicants: Apple Inc., Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chin San HAN, Albert WANG
  • Publication number: 20160061726
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Trevor J. Ness, Chin San Han, David I. Nazzaro, Marcelo M. Lamego, Naoto Matsuyuki, Wolf Oetting
  • Publication number: 20160058312
    Abstract: A photoplethysmographic (PPG) device is disclosed. The PPG device can include one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors to generate the multiple light paths for measuring a PPG signal and perfusion indices of a user. The multiple light paths between each pair of light emitters and light detectors can include different separation distances to generate both an accurate PPG signal and a perfusion index value to accommodate a variety of users and usage conditions. In some examples, the multiple light paths can include the same separation distances for noise cancellation due to artifacts resulting from, for example, tilt and/or pull of the device, a user's hair, a user's skin pigmentation, and/or motion. The PPG device can further include one or more lenses and/or reflectors to increase the signal strength and/or and to obscure the optical components and associated wiring from being visible to a user's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Chin San HAN, Ueyn BLOCK, Brian R. LAND, Nevzat Akin KESTELLI, Serhan ISIKMAN, Albert WANG, Justin SHI