Abstract: An optical detector module can be used to implement proximity sensing function by detecting ambient light outside of the optical detector module in accordance with a first detection threshold. An optical detector module can be further used to implement other active functions such as material detection (e.g., skin) or depth-sensing by emitting one or more optical signals (e.g., light pulses at a specific wavelength) and detecting the reflected optical signals relative to a second and/or third detection threshold. The disclosure provides technical solutions for actively monitoring detection threshold(s) of an optical detector module to achieve better power management. In some embodiments, such solutions are useful for photodetectors having a wide sensing bandwidth, such as a photodetector formed in germanium or a photodetector comprising an absorption region comprising germanium.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a heart rate value by an optical sensing apparatus includes: receiving, by a first calculator in a processor and from a light receiver, a PPG signal; receiving, by a second calculator in the processor and from a motion sensor, a motion signal; determining, by the first calculator, a first heart rate value; determining, by the first calculator, a validity indicator according to the PPG signal; and determining, by the second calculator, a second heart rate value according to the PPG signal and the motion signal. When the validity indicator is determined to satisfy a predetermined requirement, the processor outputs the first heart rate value as the heart rate value. When the validity indicator is determined to not satisfy the predetermined requirement, the processor outputs the second heart rate value as the heart rate value.

Abstract: An optical detector module can be used to implement proximity sensing function by detecting ambient light outside of the optical detector module in accordance with a first detection threshold. An optical detector module can be further used to implement other active functions such as material detection (e.g., skin) or depth-sensing by emitting one or more optical signals (e.g., light pulses at a specific wavelength) and detecting the reflected optical signals relative to a second and/or third detection threshold. The disclosure provides technical solutions for actively monitoring detection threshold(s) of an optical detector module to achieve better power management. In some embodiments, such solutions are useful for photodetectors having a wide sensing bandwidth, such as a photodetector formed in germanium or a photodetector comprising an absorption region comprising germanium.

Abstract: Methods for determining a signal quality index for bioinformation measurement are disclosed herein. The method can include detecting a light intensity when the transmitter module is in an off state. The method can include comparing the light intensity to a first threshold. The method can include decreasing the gain of the receiver module when the light intensity is greater than the first threshold. The method can include comparing the light intensity to a second threshold when the light intensity is less than the first threshold. The method can include decreasing the gain of the receiver module when the light intensity is greater than the second threshold. The method can include comparing the light intensity to a third threshold when the light intensity is less than the second threshold. The method can include increasing the gain of the receiver module when the light intensity is less than the third threshold.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for calculating heart rate are disclosed herein. The apparatus can include a processor configured to calculate heart rate information. The processor includes a heart rate calculator including a memory configured to store a PPG signal and a calculation element coupled to the memory and configured to calculate a heart rate value and generate at least one quality checking factor according to the PPG signal. The processor also includes a checking element configured to determine a validity indicator according to the at least one quality checking factor, a memory control element coupled to the memory and configured to access the memory to transmit the PPG signal, and a multiplexer configured to output the PPG signal accessed by the memory control element or the heart rate value calculated by the calculation element according to the validity indicator.

Abstract: An optical detector module can be used to implement proximity sensing function by detecting ambient light outside of the optical detector module in accordance with a first detection threshold. An optical detector module can be further used to implement other active functions such as material detection (e.g., skin) or depth-sensing by emitting one or more optical signals (e.g., light pulses at a specific wavelength) and detecting the reflected optical signals relative to a second and/or third detection threshold. The disclosure provides technical solutions for actively monitoring detection threshold(s) of an optical detector module to achieve better power management. In some embodiments, such solutions are useful for photodetectors having a wide sensing bandwidth, such as a photodetector formed in germanium or a photodetector comprising an absorption region comprising germanium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical communication are provided. For instance, a method for optical communication can include receiving, by a first coupling module, a power-on signal from a first electronic device coupled to the first coupling module. The method can also include relaying, by the first coupling module, a first optical signal to a second coupling module coupled to a second electronic device. The method can also include relaying, by the second coupling module, in response to receipt of the first optical signal, a second optical signal to the first coupling module. The method can also include activating, by the first coupling module, in response to receipt of the second optical signal, a data transfer circuit for relaying data via an optical communication interface between the first coupling module and the second coupling module.

Abstract: An optical detector module can be used to implement proximity sensing function by detecting ambient light outside of the optical detector module in accordance with a first detection threshold. An optical detector module can be further used to implement other active functions such as material detection (e.g., skin) or depth-sensing by emitting one or more optical signals (e.g., light pulses at a specific wavelength) and detecting the reflected optical signals relative to a second and/or third detection threshold. The disclosure provides technical solutions for actively monitoring detection threshold(s) of an optical detector module to achieve better power management. In some embodiments, such solutions are useful for photodetectors having a wide sensing bandwidth, such as a photodetector formed in germanium or a photodetector comprising an absorption region comprising germanium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical communication are provided. For instance, a method for optical communication can include receiving, by a first coupling module, a power-on signal from a first electronic device coupled to the first coupling module. The method can also include relaying, by the first coupling module, a first optical signal to a second coupling module coupled to a second electronic device. The method can also include relaying, by the second coupling module, in response to receipt of the first optical signal, a second optical signal to the first coupling module. The method can also include activating, by the first coupling module, in response to receipt of the second optical signal, a data transfer circuit for relaying data via an optical communication interface between the first coupling module and the second coupling module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical communication are provided. For instance, a method for optical communication can include receiving, by a first coupling module, a power-on signal from a first electronic device coupled to the first coupling module. The method can also include relaying, by the first coupling module, a first optical signal to a second coupling module coupled to a second electronic device. The method can also include relaying, by the second coupling module, in response to receipt of the first optical signal, a second optical signal to the first coupling module. The method can also include activating, by the first coupling module, in response to receipt of the second optical signal, a data transfer circuit for relaying data via an optical communication interface between the first coupling module and the second coupling module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optical communication are provided. For instance, a method for optical communication can include receiving, by a first coupling module, a power-on signal from a first electronic device coupled to the first coupling module. The method can also include relaying, by the first coupling module, a first optical signal to a second coupling module coupled to a second electronic device. The method can also include relaying, by the second coupling module, in response to receipt of the first optical signal, a second optical signal to the first coupling module. The method can also include activating, by the first coupling module, in response to receipt of the second optical signal, a data transfer circuit for relaying data via an optical communication interface between the first coupling module and the second coupling module.