IP Library Granted Patent US 11,630,515
Granted Patent B1
US 11,630,515 · App. 17/000,217 · Granted Apr 18, 2023

Ferrule design for a brain computer interface module

Inventors: E-Fann Saung (Belmont, CA); John Michael Sundberg (Concord, CA)
Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc.
G06F3/015A61B5/0073A61B5/4064A61B5/6803G02B6/4206G02B6/4269
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,630,515
App. No.
17/000,217
Granted
Apr 18, 2023
Kind
B1
Abstract

A ferrule is configured to optically coupled to electronics for detect signals from a head of a user. The ferrule has optical properties to guide light between the electronics and a head of a user. The ferrule comprises a base portion having a cavity to enclose an optical element, a middle portion configured to guide light to or from the optical element, and a tip portion to interface with the head of the user.

Claims (14)

1. A ferrule configured to optically couple to electronics for detecting signals from a head of a user, wherein the ferrule has optical properties to guide light between the electronics and a head of a user, the ferrule comprising:

a base portion having a cavity to enclose an optical element, the base portion directly disposed on a surface of a flexible printed circuit assembly (FPCA) configured to conform to the head of the user;

a middle portion configured to guide light to or from the optical element; and

a tip portion to interface with the head of the user.

2. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule is configured to enclose an emitter package and direct light generated by the emitter package to the head of the user.

3. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule is configured to enclose a detector package and directs light reflected from the head of the user to the detector package.

4. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule comprises an embedded optical fiber for guiding light between the tip portion of the ferrule to the base portion of the ferrule.

5. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule comprises a light pipe for guiding light emitted by an emitter package towards the head of the user.

6. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule is configured to focus light towards the electronics.

7. The ferrule of claim 6 , wherein the ferrule comprises a plurality of lenses to focus light towards the electronics.

8. The ferrule of claim 6 , wherein the ferrule comprises a ball lens to focus light towards the electronics.

9. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule comprises a ferrule spring, wherein compression of the ferrule spring causes a controller to generate instructions for an emitter package to emit light towards the head of the user.

10. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule is comprised of optical grade acrylic or polycarbonate.

11. The ferrule of claim 1 , wherein the ferrule is coated with physical vapor deposition coating to prevent light from leaking through the middle portion of the ferrule.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 18, 2021
From: FACEBOOK, INC.
To: META PLATFORMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 058897/0824 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 31, 2020
From: SAUNG, E-FANN; SUNDBERG, JOHN MICHAEL
To: FACEBOOK, INC.
Reel/Frame 053647/0691 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 63009358 · Apr 13, 2020