Patents by Inventor Paul R. MacDonald
Paul R. MacDonald 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).
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Publication number: 20240138693Abstract: A wrist-worn electronic device comprises a housing including a bottom wall configured to contact a user's wrist, an optical transmitter and receiver assembly and a processor. The optical transmitter and receiver assembly comprises a first optical transmitter array, a first optical receiver, a second optical transmitter array, and a second optical receiver. The first and second optical transmitter arrays transmit a plurality of first and second optical signals, respectively, that pass through a user's skin. The first and second optical receivers receive the first and second optical signals that travel along a first signal path and a second signal path, respectively, that are both substantially parallel to an arm axis of the user. The processor is configured determine physiological information about the user based on one or both of first and second electronic signals corresponding to the first and second optical signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach, Tim A. Verschaeve, Benjamin A. Primeau
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Patent number: 11806119Abstract: An electronic fitness device includes a housing, a first optical transmitter array, a first optical receiver, and a second optical receiver. The first optical transmitter array is positioned at a first location on a bottom wall and may output a plurality of optical signals that pass through a user's skin. The first optical receiver is positioned at a second location and may receive the optical signals from the first optical transmitter array such that the optical signals travel along a first signal path and a first distance. The second optical receiver is positioned at a third location and may receive the optical signals from the first optical transmitter array such that the optical signals travel along a second signal path and a second distance, wherein the second signal path is roughly orthogonal to the first signal path and the second distance is different from the first distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Inventors: Simon LeFrancois, Paul R. MacDonald, Kristin A. Stevens
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Publication number: 20220022766Abstract: An electronic fitness device comprises a first optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a processing element. The first optical transmitter is configured to transmit a first optical signal and a second optical signal. The optical receiver is configured to receive the first and optical signals and to generate first and second photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals resulting from the received optical signals. The processing element is configured to control the first optical transmitter to transmit the first optical signal the second optical signal, receive the first and second PPG signals from the optical receiver and compare them, identify a common cardiac component present in the first and the second PPG signals based on the comparison, determine a signal filter parameter based on the common cardiac component, and generate first and second cardiac components from the first and second PPG signals, respectively, based on the signal filter parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Christopher J. Kulach, Paul R. MacDonald
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Patent number: 11179051Abstract: An electronic fitness device comprises a first optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a processing element. The first optical transmitter is configured to transmit a first optical signal and a second optical signal. The optical receiver is configured to receive the first and optical signals and to generate first and second photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals resulting from the received optical signals. The processing element is configured to control the first optical transmitter to transmit the first optical signal the second optical signal, receive the first and second PPG signals from the optical receiver and compare them, identify a common cardiac component present in the first and the second PPG signals based on the comparison, determine a signal filter parameter based on the common cardiac component, and generate first and second cardiac components from the first and second PPG signals, respectively, based on the signal filter parameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2018Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Inventors: Christopher J. Kulach, Paul R. MacDonald
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Patent number: 10912469Abstract: An electronic fitness device comprises a first optical transmitter array, a first optical receiver, a second optical receiver, and a processing element. The first optical transmitter array includes first optical transmitter operable to transmit a first optical signal having a first wavelength and a second optical transmitter operable to transmit a second optical signal having a second wavelength. The first optical receiver is operable to receive modulated optical signals and generate a first photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal resulting from the first optical signal and a second PPG signal resulting from the second optical signal. The second optical receiver is operable to receive modulated optical signals and generate a third PPG signal resulting from the first optical signal and a fourth PPG signal resulting from the second optical signal. The processing element is operable to determine cardiac information of the user based on the received PPG signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Inventors: Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach, James K. Rooney
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Publication number: 20200297226Abstract: An electronic fitness device comprises a housing, a first optical transmitter array, a first optical receiver, and a second optical receiver. The first optical transmitter array is positioned at a first location on a bottom wall and may output a plurality of optical signals that pass through a user's skin. The first optical receiver is positioned at a second location and may receive the optical signals from the first optical transmitter array such that the optical signals travel along a first signal path and a first distance. The second optical receiver is positioned at a third location and may receive the optical signals from the first optical transmitter array such that the optical signals travel along a second signal path and a second distance, wherein the second signal path is roughly orthogonal to the first signal path and the second distance is different from the first distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Simon LeFrancois, Paul R. MacDonald, Kristin A. Stevens
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Publication number: 20180317786Abstract: An electronic fitness device comprises a first optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a processing element. The first optical transmitter is configured to transmit a first optical signal and a second optical signal. The optical receiver is configured to receive the first and optical signals and to generate first and second photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals resulting from the received optical signals. The processing element is configured to control the first optical transmitter to transmit the first optical signal the second optical signal, receive the first and second PPG signals from the optical receiver and compare them, identify a common cardiac component present in the first and the second PPG signals based on the comparison, determine a signal filter parameter based on the common cardiac component, and generate first and second cardiac components from the first and second PPG signals, respectively, based on the signal filter parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Christopher J. Kulach, Paul R. MacDonald
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Publication number: 20180317852Abstract: An electronic fitness device comprises first and second optical transmitters, an optical receiver, and a processing element. The first optical transmitter is configured to transmit a first optical signal having a first wavelength. The second optical transmitter is configured to transmit a first optical signal having a second wavelength. The optical receiver is configured to receive the first and second optical signals and to generate first and second photoplethysmogram (PPG) signals respectively resulting from the received optical signals. The processing element is configured to control the first and second optical transmitters to transmit the first and second optical signals, receive the first and second PPG signals, and utilize the second PPG signal to reduce a noise component from the first PPG signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach
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Publication number: 20180317785Abstract: An electronic fitness device comprises a first optical transmitter array, a first optical receiver, a second optical receiver, and a processing element. The first optical transmitter array includes first optical transmitter operable to transmit a first optical signal having a first wavelength and a second optical transmitter operable to transmit a second optical signal having a second wavelength. The first optical receiver is operable to receive modulated optical signals and generate a first photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal resulting from the first optical signal and a second PPG signal resulting from the second optical signal. The second optical receiver is operable to receive modulated optical signals and generate a third PPG signal resulting from the first optical signal and a fourth PPG signal resulting from the second optical signal. The processing element is operable to determine cardiac information of the user based on the received PPG signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach, James K. Rooney
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Patent number: 9801587Abstract: A system, method, and device for monitoring a cardiac signal of a user includes an emitter (LED) for transmitting light toward skin of the user, a receiver (photodiode) for receiving a reflection of the transmitted light and generating a light intensity signal, and a processor configured to generate a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal based on the light intensity signal. The PPG signal includes a cardiac component, a motion component and a respiratory component. An inertial sensor provides a motion signal to the processor based on sensed movement of the device and one or more time-variant filters are configured by the processor to filter the PPG signal to isolate the cardiac component of the PPG signal based on determined filter coefficients.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbHInventors: Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach
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Publication number: 20170105682Abstract: A system, method, and device for monitoring a cardiac signal of a user includes an emitter (LED) for transmitting light toward skin of the user, a receiver (photodiode) for receiving a reflection of the transmitted light and generating a light intensity signal, and a processor configured to generate a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal based on the light intensity signal. The PPG signal includes a cardiac component, a motion component and a respiratory component. An inertial sensor provides a motion signal to the processor based on sensed movement of the device and one or more time-variant filters are configured by the processor to filter the PPG signal to isolate the cardiac component of the PPG signal based on determined filter coefficients.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach
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Publication number: 20130151193Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining motion explosiveness is described herein. In some configurations, a system is provided that includes a display, an inertial sensor operable to generate signals corresponding to user motion; and a processing system in communication with the inertial sensor and the display. The processing system is operable to calculate a histogram representing the sensed user motion, the histogram providing an indication of motion explosiveness, and communicate with the display to present the indication of motion explosiveness on the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: GARMIN SWITZERLAND GMBHInventors: Christopher J. Kulach, Eugene So, Paul R. MacDonald, James K. Rooney
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Patent number: 8330236Abstract: A system for improving the performance of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device that is housed in a package and implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB) comprises a footprint, an isolation channel, and a bridge. A portion of the isolation channel is removed to mechanically isolate the MEMS device.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2008Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbHInventors: Christopher J. Kulach, Paul R. MacDonald
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Patent number: 8060337Abstract: A system for estimating motion parameters corresponding to a user. The system may generally include a receiver operable to receive a signal from an external source, an inertial sensor operable to be coupled with the user and arbitrarily oriented relative to the direction of user motion for generation of a signal corresponding to user motion, and a processing system in communication with the receiver and inertial sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbHInventors: Christopher J. Kulach, Ross G. Stirling, James K. Rooney, Paul R. MacDonald
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Patent number: 8055469Abstract: A motion sensing apparatus generally comprising a housing unit operable to be attached to an object at an attachment position, an accelerometer operable to provide a signal corresponding to an acceleration measurement; and a processing system. The processing system is operable to acquire the signal corresponding to the acceleration measurement and analyze the acquired acceleration measurement to identify the attachment position of the housing unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbHInventors: Christopher J. Kulach, James K. Rooney, Paul R. MacDonald, Ross G. Stirling
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Patent number: 8036850Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a motion parameter corresponding to a subject element employs one or more accelerometers operable to measure accelerations and a processing system operable to generate a motion parameter metric utilizing the acceleration measurements and estimate the motion parameter using the motion parameter metric.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbHInventors: Christopher J. Kulach, James K. Rooney, Paul R. MacDonald
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Publication number: 20110022349Abstract: A system for estimating motion parameters corresponding to a user. The system may generally include a receiver operable to receive a signal from an external source, an inertial sensor operable to be coupled with the user and arbitrarily oriented relative to the direction of user motion for generation of a signal corresponding to user motion, and a processing system in communication with the receiver and inertial sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: Garmin Switzerland GmbHInventors: Ross G. Stirling, James K. Rooney, Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach
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Patent number: 7827000Abstract: A system for estimating motion parameters corresponding to a user. The system may generally include a receiver operable to receive a signal from an external source, an inertial sensor operable to be coupled with the user and arbitrarily oriented relative to the direction of user motion for generation of a signal corresponding to user motion, and a processing system in communication with the receiver and inertial sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbHInventors: Ross G. Stirling, James K. Rooney, Paul R. MacDonald, Christopher J. Kulach
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Publication number: 20090315127Abstract: A system for improving the performance of a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device that is housed in a package and implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB) comprises a footprint, an isolation channel, and a bridge. A portion of the isolation channel is removed to mechanically isolate the MEMS device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: GARMIN LTD.Inventors: Christopher J. Kulach, Paul R. MacDonald
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Publication number: 20090076765Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a motion parameter corresponding to a subject element employs one or more accelerometers operable to measure accelerations and a processing system operable to generate a motion parameter metric utilizing the acceleration measurements and estimate the motion parameter using the motion parameter metric.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: GARMIN LTD.Inventors: Christopher J. Kulach, James K. Rooney, Paul R. MacDonald