Patents by Inventor Peter W. Richards

Peter W. Richards 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: 9662053
    Abstract: In some implementations, a device includes light emitter(s) to emit first light having a first wavelength and second light having a second wavelength. The device also includes light detector(s) to generate a first electrical signal while the light emitter emits the first light, a second electrical signal while the light emitter emits the second light, and a third electrical signal while the light emitter is not emitting light. The device also includes ambient light cancellation circuit(s) to generate a countering signal to counter a portion of one or both of the first and second electrical signals based on the third electrical signal. The device also includes analog to digital converter(s) to generate first and second digital signals based on values of the first and second electrical signals, respectively. The device further includes a controller to determine a saturation of peripheral oxygen metric based on the first and second digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Richards, Thomas Samuel Elliot, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Patent number: 9660646
    Abstract: A capacitive sensing device can include multiple capacitive sensors. A first device controller is operatively connected to a portion of the capacitive sensors, while a second device controller is operatively connected to another portion of capacitive sensors. A common node or shield can be connected between the first device controller and the second device controller. Charging and discharging events of selected drive lines in the capacitive sensing device and/or of the common node or shield can be synchronized to reduce undesirable effects such as noise and/or to prevent the charging events and the discharging events from overlapping with each other. One or more reference capacitive sensors can be shared by the multiple device controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christian M. Sauer, Peter W. Richards
  • Publication number: 20170095156
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a device, method, and/or computer-readable medium storing processor-executable process steps to remove a component of a signal corresponding to ambient light in a photoplethysmographic sensor device, including capturing a first detected light signal representing an ambient light at a first time, causing a light emitter to generate a source light signal driven at a first level, capturing a second detected light signal representing the source light signal after interacting with a user's tissue plus the first detected light signal, generating a first output signal based on the second detected light signal adjusted by the first detected light signal, causing the light emitter to generate a source light signal driven at a second level, capturing a third detected light signal representing the source light signal driven at the second level after interacting with the user's skin plus the first detected light signal, and generating a second output signal based on the third detected light sig
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Peter W. Richards
  • Publication number: 20170086691
    Abstract: Light-blocking structures for optical physiological parameter measurement devices or sensors are disclosed. Such optical physiological parameter measurement devices or sensors may include two photodetectors and a photo-emitter, as well as barrier walls that are interposed between the photo-emitter and the photodetectors. The barrier walls may have recesses that intermesh with surface profiles of protrusions that are attached to or part of a window of the optical physiological parameter measurement devices or sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel J. Freschl, Chris H. Sarantos, Peter W. Richards, Anthony Alexander Cacace, Ritika Sahai, Lindsey Michelle Sunden
  • Publication number: 20170086692
    Abstract: An optical measurement module is disclosed that includes three or more recessed regions separated from each other by two or more barrier walls, the recessed regions including at least two distal recessed regions. The optical measurement module may also include first and second photo-emitter elements that emit light in different spectrums and first and second photodetector elements. One or more of the second photo-emitter elements may be located in one of the distal recessed regions, and the second photodetector element may be located in one of the other distal recessed regions. The first photodetector element may be located in a recessed region other than the recessed region where the second photodetector element is located, and the one or more photo-emitter elements may be located in one of the recessed regions other than the one where the first photodetector element is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel J. Freschl, Chris H. Sarantos, Peter W. Richards, Anthony Alexander Cacace, Ritika Sahai, Lindsey Michelle Sunden
  • Publication number: 20170086690
    Abstract: Light-blocking structures for optical physiological parameter measurement devices or sensors are disclosed. Such structures may include barrier walls and protrusions that further include intermeshing surface profiles designed to promote light-blocking capabilities at small scales to offset potential gaps that may occur due to assembly tolerance stack-ups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel J. Freschl, Chris H. Sarantos, Peter W. Richards, Anthony Alexander Cacace, Ritika Sahai, Lindsey Michelle Sunden
  • Publication number: 20160378255
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a force sensor that includes an input surface and an array of sensing elements. The input has a number of test locations and is deformable under applied force. The force sensor is mounted in a predetermined test orientation. For each test location of the plurality of test locations on the input surface of the force sensor a predetermined test force to the test location. An element calibration value is measured for each sensing element of the array of sensing elements of the force sensor. An (x, y) deformation map of the input surface of the force sensor corresponding to the application of the predetermined test force to the test location is determined based on the measured element calibration values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher J. Butler, Martin P. Grunthaner, Peter W. Richards, Romain A. Teil, Sinan Filiz
  • Publication number: 20160345881
    Abstract: Blood oxygenation sensors including high-aspect-ratio photodetector elements are discussed herein. Such high-aspect-ratio photodetector elements may provide improved signal-strength-to-power-consumption performance for blood oxygenation sensors incorporating such photodetector elements as compared with blood oxygenation sensors incorporating, for example, square photodetector elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Chris H. Sarantos, Peter W. Richards
  • Publication number: 20160302706
    Abstract: In some implementations, a device includes light emitter(s) to emit first light having a first wavelength and second light having a second wavelength. The device also includes light detector(s) to generate a first electrical signal while the light emitter emits the first light, a second electrical signal while the light emitter emits the second light, and a third electrical signal while the light emitter is not emitting light. The device also includes ambient light cancellation circuit(s) to generate a countering signal to counter a portion of one or both of the first and second electrical signals based on the third electrical signal. The device also includes analog to digital converter(s) to generate first and second digital signals based on values of the first and second electrical signals, respectively. The device further includes a controller to determine a saturation of peripheral oxygen metric based on the first and second digital signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Peter W. Richards, Thomas Samuel Elliot, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Patent number: 9402552
    Abstract: One innovative aspect is directed to heartrate data collection. In some implementations, a circuit includes a light detector for generating a detected signal based on received light. The circuit includes a switching circuit configured to receive a first signal based on the detected signal and to switch among a first and a second configuration. In some implementations, the circuit includes a first and a second sampling circuit for sampling a value of the first signal when the switching circuit is in the first configuration and second configurations, respectively. In some implementations, the circuit includes an ambient light cancellation circuit for countering a first component of the first signal while the first switching circuit is in the first configuration. In some implementations, the circuit includes an adjustable gain circuit for adjusting a gain of the first signal while the first switching circuit is in the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Richards, Thomas Samuel Elliot, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Publication number: 20160216833
    Abstract: A system can include a display, a first device, and a second device all operatively connected to a controller. The first and second devices each use or share at least a portion of the display area. The controller is adapted to transmit during a pixel refresh time period of the display a first signal that is received by the first device. The first sync signal indicates a first time period in which a first operation can be performed in the first device. The controller is also adapted to transmit a second sync signal that is received by the second device indicating a second time period in which a second operation can be performed in the second device. The second time period can be during the pixel refresh time period or outside of the pixel refresh time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher J. Butler, Peter W. Richards, Christian M. Sauer, Manu Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20160209984
    Abstract: A capacitive force sensor characterization system for calibrating a capacitive force sensor included in a personal electronic device. The capacitive force sensor includes a first capacitor plate coupled to a flexible element of the personal electronic device, which is coupled to the device housing, and a second capacitor plate coupled to an internal structural member of the personal electronic device. The internal structural member is not coupled to the housing during the characterization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventor: Peter W. Richards
  • Patent number: 9392946
    Abstract: Heart rate sensors including high-aspect-ratio photodetector elements are discussed herein. Such high-aspect-ratio photodetector elements may provide improved signal-strength-to-power-consumption performance for heart rate sensors incorporating such photodetector elements as compared with heart rate sensors incorporating, for example, square photodetector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris H. Sarantos, Peter W. Richards
  • Publication number: 20160183818
    Abstract: One innovative aspect is directed to heartrate data collection. In some implementations, a circuit includes a light detector for generating a detected signal based on received light. The circuit includes a switching circuit configured to receive a first signal based on the detected signal and to switch among a first and a second configuration. In some implementations, the circuit includes a first and a second sampling circuit for sampling a value of the first signal when the switching circuit is in the first configuration and second configurations, respectively. In some implementations, the circuit includes an ambient light cancellation circuit for countering a first component of the first signal while the first switching circuit is in the first configuration. In some implementations, the circuit includes an adjustable gain circuit for adjusting a gain of the first signal while the first switching circuit is in the first configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Peter W. Richards, Thomas Samuel Elliot, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Publication number: 20160103542
    Abstract: A force-sensitive device for electronic device. The force inputs may be detected by measuring changes in capacitance, as measured by surface flex of a device having a flexible touchable surface, causing flex at a compressible gap within the device. A capacitive sensor responsive to changes in distance across the compressible gap. The sensor can be positioned above or below, or within, a display element, and above or below, or within, a backlight unit. The device can respond to bending, twisting, or other deformation, to adjust those zero force measurements. The device can use measure of surface flux that appear at positions on the surface not directly the subject of applied force, such as when the user presses on a part of the frame or a surface without capacitive sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Charley T. Ogata, Martin P. Grunthaner, Michael B. Wittenberg, Peter W. Richards, Romain A. Teil, Steven P. Hotelling
  • Publication number: 20160098131
    Abstract: A force-sensitive device for electronic device. The force inputs may be detected by measuring changes in capacitance, as measured by surface flex of a device having a flexible touchable surface, causing flex at a compressible gap within the device. A capacitive sensor responsive to changes in distance across the compressible gap. The sensor can be positioned above or below, or within, a display element, and above or below, or within, a backlight unit. The device can respond to bending, twisting, or other deformation, to adjust those zero force measurements. The device can use measure of surface flux that appear at positions on the surface not directly the subject of applied force, such as when the user presses on a part of the frame or a surface without capacitive sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Charley T. Ogata, Martin P. Grunthaner, Michael B. Wittenberg, Peter W. Richards, Romain A. Teil, Steven P. Hotelling
  • Patent number: 9282902
    Abstract: One innovative aspect is directed to heartrate data collection. In some implementations, a circuit includes a light detector for generating a detected signal based on received light. The circuit includes a switching circuit configured to receive a first signal based on the detected signal and to switch among a first and a second configuration. In some implementations, the circuit includes a first and a second sampling circuit for sampling a value of the first signal when the switching circuit is in the first configuration and second configurations, respectively. In some implementations, the circuit includes an ambient light cancellation circuit for countering a first component of the first signal while the first switching circuit is in the first configuration. In some implementations, the circuit includes an adjustable gain circuit for adjusting a gain of the first signal while the first switching circuit is in the first configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Fitbit, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Richards, Thomas Samuel Elliot, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen
  • Publication number: 20160041648
    Abstract: A force sensing device for electronic device. The force inputs may be detected by measuring changes in capacitance, as measured by surface flex of a device having a flexible touchable surface, causing flex at a compressible gap within the device. A capacitive sensor is responsive to changes in distance across the compressible gap. The sensor can be positioned above or below, or within, a display element, and above or below, or within, a backlight unit. The device can respond to bending, twisting, or other deformation, to adjust those zero force measurements. The device can use measure of surface flux that appear at positions on the surface not directly the subject of applied force, such as when the user presses on a part of the frame or a surface without capacitive sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Peter W. Richards
  • Publication number: 20160034088
    Abstract: A touch sensitive input system for an electronic device includes a deflection sensor configured to generate a deflection signal based on deflection of a control or sensing surface, and a processor in signal communication with the deflection sensor. The processor is operable to generate a deflection or displacement map characterizing displacement of the surface based on the deflection signal, and a force map characterizing force on the surface based on a transformation of the displacement map. The transformation may be based on a generalized inverse of a compliance operator, where the compliance operator relates the displacement map to the force map. The compliance operator is not necessarily square, and does not necessarily have a traditional inverse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Peter W. RICHARDS, Sinan FILIZ
  • Publication number: 20150370376
    Abstract: A device configured to determine the location and magnitude of a touch on a surface of the device. The device includes a transparent touch sensor that is configured to detect a location of a touch on the transparent touch sensor. The device also includes a force-sensing structure disposed at the periphery of the transparent touch sensor. The force sensor includes an upper capacitive plate and a compressible element disposed on one side of the upper capacitive plate. The force sensor also includes a lower capacitive plate disposed on a side of the compressible element that is opposite the upper capacitive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jonah A. HARLEY, Peter W. RICHARDS, Brian Q. HUPPI, Omar Sze LEUNG, Dhaval N. SHAH, Martin P. GRUNTHANER, Steven P. HOTELLING, Miguel C CHRISTOPHY, Vivek KATIYAR, Tang Yew TAN, Christopher J. BUTLER, Erik G. DE JONG, Ming SARTEE, Rui QIAO, Steven J. MARTISAUSKAS, Storrs T. HOEN, Richard Hung Minh DINH, Lee E. HOOTON, Ian A. SPRAGGS, Sawyer I. COHEN, David A. PAKULA