The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2023

Filed:

Feb. 04, 2021
Applicant:

Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);

Inventors:

Nathan Shou, San Francisco, CA (US);

Daryl I. Vulis, San Francisco, CA (US);

Tong Chen, Fremont, CA (US);

Assignee:

Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01B 11/14 (2006.01); G01B 9/02015 (2022.01); G01B 9/02 (2022.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01B 11/14 (2013.01); G01B 9/02015 (2013.01); G01B 9/02054 (2013.01);
Abstract

An optical proximity sensor includes an optical path extender that extends an optical path length of the optical proximity sensor without a corresponding extension of a geometric path length of the optical proximity sensor. The optical path extender may be a high-refractive index material positioned along the optical path through the optical proximity sensor. The optical path extender may include one or more redirection features configured to change a direction of the light traveling within the optical proximity sensor. The optical path extender may include a photonic component configured to simulate an extension of the geometric path within an optical proximity sensor by applying a momentum-dependent transfer function to the light traveling through it.


Find Patent Forward Citations

Loading…