Apple inc. (20250076502). MULTI-PATHWAY DISTANCE MEASUREMENTS FOR OPTICAL SENSORS
MULTI-PATHWAY DISTANCE MEASUREMENTS FOR OPTICAL SENSORS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Nicholas P. Allec of Champaign IL (US)
Ueyn L. Block of Menlo Park CA (US)
MULTI-PATHWAY DISTANCE MEASUREMENTS FOR OPTICAL SENSORS
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20250076502 titled 'MULTI-PATHWAY DISTANCE MEASUREMENTS FOR OPTICAL SENSORS
Original Abstract Submitted
disclosed herein are electronic devices, detectors, systems, and methods for estimating a distance to an exterior object. light pulses from an emitter on the electronic device or detector are received by at least one pair of light detectors positioned at different distances from the emitter. one or more ratios of strengths of signals of the light detectors are used to determine the object's distance. the ratios may be compared to a proximity curve to obtain the object's distance. if the ratio exceeds a critical distance value, a determination may be made that the exterior object has been separated from the electronic device. wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, may use the detectors, systems, and methods to determine if a user is wearing the electronic device.