Google patents watch sensor design with specific light paths
This patent describes a wearable device, such as a smartwatch, that uses a specific layout to manage how light moves through its sensors. It features a sensor cover made of transparent material with a hollowed-out section that blocks light in certain areas while allowing it to pass in others. This setup helps control the path of light between the emitter and receiver on the device's internal board.
In the filing’s own words
The present disclosure provides a wearable device configured to selectively permit an emission and a reception of light. The wearable device includes a hub board, a sensor, a light blocking structure, and a sensor cover. The hub board includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. Further, the hub board extends longitudinally in an x-direction. The sensor is connected to the exterior surface of the hub board and includes a light emitter extending from the exterior surface of the hub board and a light receiver extending from the exterior surface of the hub board. The light blocking structure is located between the light emitter and the light receiver. Further, the light blocking structure extends transversely from the exterior surface of the hub board in a y-direction. The sensor cover is positioned over the sensor and includes an interior surface and an exterior surface. Further, the sensor cover includes a light allowing portion and a light blocking portion.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A wearable device configured to selectively permit an emission and a reception of light, the wearable device comprising: a hub board having an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein the hub board extends longitudinally in an x-direction; a sensor connected to the exterior surface of the hub board, the sensor comprising: a light emitter extending from the exterior surface of the hub board; and a light receiver extending from the exterior surface of the hub board; a light blocking structure located between the light emitter and the light receiver, the light blocking structure extending transversely from the exterior surface of the hub board in a y-direction; and a sensor cover positioned over the sensor and having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the sensor cover comprising a light allowing portion and a light blocking portion, wherein the sensor cover is formed of a transparent material, wherein the light blocking portion is formed via removing material from the sensor cover so as to define an air pocket corresponding to the light blocking portion, the light blocking portion comprising a counterbore having a major portion and a minor portion.
Facts
- Company
- Google (Google LLC)
- Official title
- Discrete optical pathways through sensor and sensor cover
- Patent number
- US12761691B2
- Application number
- 18867318
- Filed
- May 19, 2023
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 1/163 Physics & computingG06F 1/1658 Physics & computingG06F 1/1684 Physics & computingMore from Google in Wearables
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.