IP Library Granted Patent US 12,471,791
Granted Patent B2
US 12,471,791 · App. 17/434,854 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Optical sensor modules with selective optical pathways

Inventors: Michael Edward Aumer (Raleigh, NC); Jonathan T. Walter (Wake Forest, NC); Steven Francis LeBoeuf (Raleigh, NC)
Assignee: Yukka Magic LLC
A61B5/02427
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,471,791
App. No.
17/434,854
Granted
Nov 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical sensor module includes a housing, first and second optical emitters within the housing, and an optical detector within the housing that is positioned between the first and second optical emitters. The housing includes respective first and second windows of optically transparent material that overlie the first and second optical emitters, and also includes a third window of optically transparent material that overlies the optical detector. The third window includes opposite first and second ends and opposite first and second sides, and at least one of the first and second sides is curved inwardly. Both of the first and second sides of the third window may be curved inwardly such that the third window has an hourglass shape.

Claims (39)

1 . An optical sensor module, comprising:

a housing;

first and second optical emitters within the housing; and

an optical detector within the housing and positioned between the first and second optical emitters;

wherein:

the housing comprises respective first and second windows of optically transparent material overlying the first and second optical emitters, and a third window of optically transparent material overlying the optical detector;

the third window is defined by opposite first and second ends and opposite first and second sides different from each the first end and the second end;

at least one of the first and second sides are curved inwardly towards a centerline of the third window;

an opaque material overlies portions of at least one of the first and second sides such that the least one of the first and second sides curve inwardly towards the centerline of the third window; and

the opaque material has a greater opacity adjacent to the first and second sides and a decreasing opacity in a direction away from at least one of the first and second sides.

2 . The optical sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the third window has an hourglass shape.

3 . The optical sensor module of claim 1 , further comprising light guiding material located adjacent at least one of the first and second ends of the third window.

4 . The optical sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the optical sensor module is a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor module.

5 . An optical sensor module, comprising:

a housing;

first and second optical emitters within the housing; and

an optical detector within the housing and positioned between the first and second optical emitters;

wherein:

the housing comprises respective first and second emitters, and a third window of optically transparent material overlying the optical detector;

the third window has an elongated rectangular shape with opposite first and second ends and opposite first and second sides different from each the first and second ends;

an opaque material overlies portions of the first and second sides of the third window such that the third window has an hourglass shaped optically transparent configuration;

the opaque material has a greater opacity adjacent the first and second sides of the third window; and

the opacity of the opaque material decreases in a direction away from each of the first and second sides of the third window.

6 . The optical sensor module of claim 5 , wherein the opaque material comprises paint, plastic, metal, carbon, or glass.

7 . The optical sensor module of claim 5 , further comprising light guiding material located adjacent at least one of the first and second ends of the third window.

8 . The optical sensor module of claim 5 , wherein the optical sensor module is a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor module.

9 . An optical sensor module, comprising:

a housing;

first and second optical emitters within the housing; and

an optical detector within the housing and positioned between the first and second optical emitters;

wherein:

the housing comprises respective first and second windows of optically transparent material overlying the first and second optical emitters, and a third window of optically transparent material overlying the optical detector;

the third window has an elongated rectangular shape with opposite first and second ends and opposite first and second sides different from the first and second ends;

an opaque material overlies a portion of at least one of the first and second sides of the third window such that the at least one of the first and second sides of the third window effectively curves inwardly towards a centerline of the third window;

the opaque material has a greater opacity adjacent the one of the first and second sides; and

the opacity of the opaque material decreases in a direction away from the one of the first and second sides.

10 . The optical sensor module of claim 9 , wherein the opaque material comprises paint, plastic, metal, carbon, or glass.

11 . The optical sensor module of claim 9 , further comprising light guiding material located adjacent at least one of the first and second ends of the third window.

12 . The optical sensor module of claim 9 , wherein the optical sensor module is a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor module.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2022
From: VALENCELL, INC.
To: YUKKA MAGIC LLC
Reel/Frame 061501/0082 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2021
From: AUMER, MICHAEL EDWARD; WALTER, JONATHAN T.; LEBOEUF, STEVEN FRANCIS
To: VALENCELL, INC.
Reel/Frame 057785/0663 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62812669 · Mar 1, 2019
Related Publication 20220142494A1 · May 12, 2022
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