Apple patents sensor board that combines laser and light sensors
Apple has filed a patent for an optical sensor module that integrates a laser Doppler interferometry sensor and a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor onto a single photonic printed circuit board. The design routes light within the plane of the board, allowing the laser sensor to emit and collect light from one side while measuring interference signals to detect motion or flow.
In the filing’s own words
Embodiments are directed to optical sensor modules having a sensor arrangement that includes at least one laser doppler interferometry (LDI) sensor. The LDI sensor(s) of an optical sensor module may be incorporated into a photonic printed circuit board, such that light may be routed within a plane of the photonic printed circuit board. In some instances, the sensor arrangement may include additional sensors, such as photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, temperature sensors, combinations thereof, or the like.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An optical sensor module comprising: a photonic printed circuit board having a first side and a second side and comprising a laser doppler interferometry sensor and a photoplethysmogram sensor, wherein: the laser doppler interferometry sensor comprises: a light source assembly configured to generate signal light and reference light, wherein the laser doppler interferometry sensor is configured to emit the signal light from the first side of the photonic printed circuit board and collect return signal light through the first side of the photonic printed circuit board; an interferometer configured to receive the reference light and the return signal light and generate a pair of interference signals; and a pair of photodetectors positioned to measure the pair of interference signals; and the photoplethysmogram sensor comprises: a photodetector positioned on the first side of the first side of the photonic printed circuit board.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- OPTICAL SENSOR MODULES WITH INTERFEROMETRIC SENSING
- Publication number
- US20260298615A1
- Application number
- 19572148
- Filed
- Mar 19, 2026
- Published
- Oct 1, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G01B 9/02045 Physics & computingG01B 9/02002 Physics & computingG02B 6/34 Physics & computingG06F 1/163 Physics & computingH05K 1/183 Electricity & electronicsH05K 2201/10106 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Health & body
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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.