Patents by Inventor Ryan M. Buck

Ryan M. Buck 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: 12317024
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device such as an earbud, wristwatch, or other device may be provided with a skin sensor. The skin sensor may use optical measurements to detect the presence of skin adjacent to the electronic device. The sensor may have first and second light-emitting devices such as infrared devices that emit light at respective first and second infrared light wavelengths. Reflected light is monitored by a photodetector. Control circuitry can initiate or pause audio playback or take other actions in response to determining from the reflected light measurements that skin is present. The sensor may have a thin-film interference filter or other optical structure that overlaps the first and second light-emitting devices to narrow the angular spread of light emitted from the skin sensor. This reduces tilt sensitivity and helps enhance skin sensor accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Allec, Yuta Kuboyama, Xiaoyang Zhang, Xi Chen, Ryan M. Buck, Praveesh Chandran, Yifei Wang, Tingjun Xu
  • Publication number: 20220225006
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device such as an earbud, wristwatch, or other device may be provided with a skin sensor. The skin sensor may use optical measurements to detect the presence of skin adjacent to the electronic device. The sensor may have first and second light-emitting devices such as infrared devices that emit light at respective first and second infrared light wavelengths. Reflected light is monitored by a photodetector. Control circuitry can initiate or pause audio playback or take other actions in response to determining from the reflected light measurements that skin is present. The sensor may have a thin-film interference filter or other optical structure that overlaps the first and second light-emitting devices to narrow the angular spread of light emitted from the skin sensor. This reduces tilt sensitivity and helps enhance skin sensor accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Allec, Yuta Kuboyama, Xiaoyang Zhang, Xi Chen, Ryan M. Buck, Praveesh Chandran, Yifei Wang, Tingjun Xu
  • Publication number: 20170071469
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved method, system and product to provide wireless ECG patient monitoring. Although embodiments make specific reference to monitoring electrocardiogram signal with an adherent patch, the system methods, and device herein may be applicable to any application in which physiological monitoring is used. The present invention also presents a reliable means for docking the interface while minimizing signal interference and user error. In addition, a novel means for transmitting and receiving a patient's ECG measurements is introduced which includes the use of an epidermal communication network (ECN) and an ECG enabled module for ECN communications and interface. Although embodiments make specific reference to the use of the ECN for ECG measurements, the system methods, and protocol herein may be applicable to any wearable device and/or other smart device which is ECN enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Frederick M. Hijazi, Ryan M. Buck