Optical sensor and electronic device including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical sensor. The optical sensor may include: a light emitting part including light sources which are arranged on a substrate and emit lights of different wavelength bands; first optical waveguides for delivering the lights emitted through the light emitting part in a first direction parallel to a surface of the substrate; and a light focusing changing member for changing an angle of light so as to emit the lights delivered from the first optical waveguides in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The light focusing changing member may have a structure for focusing, to one point, lights delivered at different positions from the first optical waveguides.

Description

Optical sensor and electronic device including same

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical sensor and an electronic device including the same.

[0002] Electronic devices can provide various functions or services to users based on information collected through sensors. For example, the electronic device may include an optical sensor including at least one light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The optical sensor can measure biometric information of a user of the electronic device using light of a specific wavelength. Biometric information may include, for example, saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2), heart rate (HR), photoplethysmography (PPG), galvanic skin response (GSR), electrocardiography (ECG), and bioelectrical impedance.

[0003] The above information may be provided as background art to aid in understanding the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the above is applicable as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0004] Optical sensors utilize one or more wavelengths or light sources to measure various biometric information, and the required wavelengths of light may vary depending on the biometric information. Miniaturized electronic devices utilize light sources that emit light only in specific wavelengths, so a large number of light sources may be required to measure various biometric information. However, as the number of light sources increases, the location of the emitted light varies, and the location at which it contacts the biometric specimen (e.g., skin) may vary depending on the wavelength, resulting in differences in the light path. Furthermore, in the case of the human body, since the composition of tissues varies, differences in the light path depending on the wavelength may make it difficult to obtain reliable data.

[0005] Therefore, in the case of optical sensors (e.g., biosensors) that require multiple wavelengths or multiple light sources, a structure is required to focus the light emitted from each light source location into one. However, typical focusing structures, such as prisms, echelle gratings, arrayed waveguide gratings (AWGs), or angled multi-mode interferometers (AMMIs), are not suitable for miniaturized electronic devices due to their large volume, and thus a new structure suitable for miniaturized electronic devices is required.

[0006] Various embodiments propose an optical sensor suitable for miniaturized electronic devices and an electronic device including the same.

[0007] However, the problem to be solved in this disclosure is not limited to the problem mentioned above, and may be expanded in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0008] An optical sensor according to one embodiment may include a light-emitting unit disposed on a substrate and including light sources emitting light of different wavelengths. The optical sensor according to one embodiment may include first optical waveguides transmitting light emitted through the light-emitting unit in a first direction parallel to a surface of the substrate. The optical sensor according to one embodiment may include a light focusing changing member that changes an optical angle so that light transmitted from the first optical waveguides is emitted in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The optical sensor according to one embodiment may be characterized in that the light focusing changing member has a structure that focuses light transmitted from the first optical waveguides from different locations to a single point.

[0009] An electronic device according to one embodiment may include an optical sensor.

[0010] An electronic device according to one embodiment may include a light-emitting unit disposed on a substrate and including light sources that emit light of different wavelengths. The electronic device according to one embodiment may include first optical waveguides that transmit light emitted through the light-emitting unit in a first direction parallel to a surface of the substrate. The electronic device according to one embodiment may include an optical focusing changing member that changes an optical angle so that light transmitted from the first optical waveguides is emitted in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction. The optical focusing changing member of the electronic device according to one embodiment may be characterized by a structure that focuses light transmitted from the first optical waveguides to a single point at different locations.

[0011] The optical sensor and electronic device according to various embodiments can contribute to the simplification of the process and the reduction of cost by applying a light focusing change member of a simple structure to the optical sensor instead of a complex structure and bulky light focusing device (e.g., echelle grating, arrayed waveguide gratings (AWG), angled multi-mode interferometer (AMMI)) applied to the electronic device. The optical sensor and electronic device according to one embodiment can contribute to the improvement of the miniaturization of the electronic device even if a large number of light sources are mounted to measure bio-information of various components by simplifying the structure of the optical sensor.

[0012] In addition, various effects may be provided, either directly or indirectly, through this document.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device within a network environment according to one embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified configuration of a biosensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate examples of the structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 4A illustrates an example structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIGS. 4b and 4c are drawings illustrating the structure of a grating coupler according to one embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an example structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates an example structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0020] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0021] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0023] FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0024] FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 12 illustrates an example structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0026] FIGS. 13A to 13C illustrate examples of lens structures included in an optical sensor according to one embodiment.

[0027] FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate examples of lens structures included in an optical sensor according to one embodiment.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components. In addition, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device (101) within a network environment (100) according to one embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, in a network environment (100), an electronic device (101) may communicate with an electronic device (102) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or may communicate with at least one of an electronic device (104) or a server (108) via a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may communicate with the electronic device (104) via the server (108). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (101) may include a processor (120), a memory (130), an input module (150), an audio output module (155), a display module (160), an audio module (170), a sensor module (176), an interface (177), a connection terminal (178), a haptic module (179), a camera module (180), a power management module (188), a battery (189), a communication module (190), a subscriber identification module (196), or an antenna module (197). In some embodiments, the electronic device (101) may omit at least one of these components (e.g., the connection terminal (178)), or may have one or more other components added. In some embodiments, some of these components (e.g., the sensor module (176), the camera module (180), or the antenna module (197)) may be integrated into one component (e.g., the display module (160)).

[0031] The processor (120) may, for example, execute software (e.g., a program (140)) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device (101) connected to the processor (120) and perform various data processing or calculations. According to one embodiment, as at least a part of the data processing or calculations, the processor (120) may store commands or data received from other components (e.g., a sensor module (176) or a communication module (190)) in a volatile memory (132), process the commands or data stored in the volatile memory (132), and store result data in a non-volatile memory (134). According to one embodiment, the processor (120) may include a main processor (121) (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or a secondary processor (123) (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor)) that can operate independently or together therewith. For example, if the electronic device (101) includes a main processor (121) and a secondary processor (123), the secondary processor (123) may be configured to use less power than the main processor (121) or to be specialized for a specified function. The secondary processor (123) may be implemented separately from the main processor (121) or as a part thereof.

[0032] The auxiliary processor (123) may control at least a portion of functions or states associated with at least one component (e.g., a display module (160), a sensor module (176), or a communication module (190)) of the electronic device (101), for example, on behalf of the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor (121) while the main processor (121) is in an active (e.g., application execution) state. In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as a part of another functionally related component (e.g., a camera module (180) or a communication module (190)). In one embodiment, the auxiliary processor (123) (e.g., a neural network processing unit) may include a hardware structure specialized for processing artificial intelligence models. The artificial intelligence models may be generated through machine learning. This learning can be performed, for example, in the electronic device (101) itself where artificial intelligence is performed, or can be performed through a separate server (e.g., server (108)). The learning algorithm can include, for example, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning, but is not limited to the examples described above. The artificial intelligence model can include multiple artificial neural network layers.The artificial neural network may be one of a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), a deep Q-network, or a combination of two or more of the above, but is not limited to the examples described above. In addition to, or alternatively to, a hardware structure, an artificial intelligence model may include a software structure.

[0033] The memory (130) can store various data used by at least one component (e.g., processor (120) or sensor module (176)) of the electronic device (101). The data can include, for example, software (e.g., program (140)) and input data or output data for commands related thereto. The memory (130) can include volatile memory (132) or non-volatile memory (134).

[0034] The program (140) may be stored as software in the memory (130) and may include, for example, an operating system (142), middleware (144), or an application (146).

[0035] The input module (150) can receive commands or data to be used in a component of the electronic device (101) (e.g., a processor (120)) from an external source (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The input module (150) can include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

[0036] The audio output module (155) can output audio signals to the outside of the electronic device (101). The audio output module (155) can include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker can be used for general purposes, such as multimedia playback or recording playback. The receiver can be used to receive incoming calls. In one embodiment, the receiver can be implemented separately from the speaker or as part of the speaker.

[0037] The display module (160) can visually provide information to an external party (e.g., a user) of the electronic device (101). The display module (160) may include, for example, a display, a holographic device, or a projector and a control circuit for controlling the device. In one embodiment, the display module (160) may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

[0038] The audio module (170) can convert sound into an electrical signal, or vice versa, convert an electrical signal into sound. According to one embodiment, the audio module (170) can acquire sound through the input module (150), output sound through the sound output module (155), or an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)) (e.g., speaker or headphone) directly or wirelessly connected to the electronic device (101).

[0039] The sensor module (176) can detect the operating status (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device (101) or the external environmental status (e.g., user status) and generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected status. According to one embodiment, the sensor module (176) can include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

[0040] The interface (177) may support one or more designated protocols that may be used to directly or wirelessly connect the electronic device (101) with an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (102)). In one embodiment, the interface (177) may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, or an audio interface.

[0041] The connection terminal (178) may include a connector through which the electronic device (101) may be physically connected to an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102)). According to one embodiment, the connection terminal (178) may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

[0042] A haptic module (179) can convert electrical signals into mechanical stimuli (e.g., vibration or movement) or electrical stimuli that a user can perceive through tactile or kinesthetic sensations. In one embodiment, the haptic module (179) can include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electrical stimulation device.

[0043] The camera module (180) can capture still images and videos. According to one embodiment, the camera module (180) may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

[0044] The power management module (188) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, the power management module (188) can be implemented, for example, as at least a part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

[0045] A battery (189) may power at least one component of the electronic device (101). In one embodiment, the battery (189) may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell.

[0046] The communication module (190) may support the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (e.g., electronic device (102), electronic device (104), or server (108)), and the performance of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module (190) may operate independently from the processor (120) (e.g., application processor) and may include one or more communication processors that support direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. According to one embodiment, the communication module (190) may include a wireless communication module (192) (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (194) (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module can communicate with an external electronic device (104) via a first network (198) (e.g., a short-range communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WiFi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (199) (e.g., a long-range communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., a LAN or WAN)). These various types of communication modules can be integrated into a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as multiple separate components (e.g., multiple chips). The wireless communication module (192) can verify or authenticate the electronic device (101) within a communication network such as the first network (198) or the second network (199) by using subscriber information (e.g., an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module (196).

[0047] The wireless communication module (192) can support 5G networks and next-generation communication technologies following the 4G network, such as NR access technology (new radio access technology). The NR access technology can support high-speed transmission of high-capacity data (eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband)), minimization of terminal power and connection of multiple terminals (mMTC (massive machine type communications)), or high reliability and low latency (URLLC (ultra-reliable and low-latency communications)). The wireless communication module (192) can support, for example, a high-frequency band (e.g., mmWave band) to achieve a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module (192) can support various technologies for securing performance in a high-frequency band, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module (192) can support various requirements specified in the electronic device (101), an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (104)), or a network system (e.g., the second network (199)). According to one embodiment, the wireless communication module (192) can support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for eMBB realization, a loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for mMTC realization, or a U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or 1 ms or less for round trip) for URLLC realization.

[0048] The antenna module (197) can transmit or receive signals or power to or from an external device (e.g., an external electronic device). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include an antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or a conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a PCB). In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna). In this case, at least one antenna suitable for a communication method used in a communication network, such as the first network (198) or the second network (199), may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, for example, the communication module (190). A signal or power may be transmitted or received between the communication module (190) and an external electronic device through the selected at least one antenna. In some embodiments, in addition to the radiator, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) may be additionally formed as a part of the antenna module (197).

[0049] In one embodiment, the antenna module (197) may form a mmWave antenna module. In one embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a printed circuit board, an RFIC disposed on or adjacent a first side (e.g., a bottom side) of the printed circuit board and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., a mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., an array antenna) disposed on or adjacent a second side (e.g., a top side or a side side) of the printed circuit board and capable of transmitting or receiving signals in the designated high-frequency band.

[0050] At least some of the above components can be interconnected and exchange signals (e.g., commands or data) with each other via a communication method between peripheral devices (e.g., a bus, GPIO (general purpose input and output), SPI (serial peripheral interface), or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)).

[0051] According to one embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device (101) and an external electronic device (104) via a server (108) connected to a second network (199). Each of the external electronic devices (102 or 104) may be the same or a different type of device as the electronic device (101). According to one embodiment, all or part of the operations executed in the electronic device (101) may be executed in one or more of the external electronic devices (102, 104, or 108). For example, when the electronic device (101) is to perform a certain function or service automatically or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device (101) may, instead of or in addition to executing the function or service itself, request one or more external electronic devices to perform the function or at least a part of the service. One or more external electronic devices that receive the request may execute at least a portion of the requested function or service, or an additional function or service related to the request, and transmit the result of the execution to the electronic device (101). The electronic device (101) may process the result as is or additionally and provide it as at least a portion of a response to the request. For this purpose, cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device (101) may provide an ultra-low latency service by using distributed computing or mobile edge computing, for example. In another embodiment, the external electronic device (104) may include an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The server (108) may be an intelligent server utilizing machine learning and / or a neural network. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device (104) or the server (108) may be included in the second network (199).The electronic device (101) can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology.

[0052] The electronic device (101) according to the embodiments may be of various types. The electronic device (101) may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance device. The electronic device (101) according to the embodiments of the present document is not limited to the aforementioned devices.

[0053] An electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may include a biometric sensor or optical sensor capable of measuring various biometric information. The biometric sensor or optical sensor disclosed in this document may be applied not only to portable devices and wearable devices, but also to medical devices used in hospitals or testing institutions, or small medical devices or healthcare devices that can be owned by individuals.

[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified configuration of a biosensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (e.g., a sensor module (176) of FIG. 1) (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may include a light emitting unit (211), a light focusing changing member (213), and a light receiving unit (217). The optical sensor (210) may be electrically and / or operatively connected to the processor (120) of FIG. 1.

[0056] In one embodiment, the hardware of the electronic device (101) being operatively coupled may mean that a direct connection, or an indirect connection, is established between the hardware, either wired or wireless, such that the second hardware is controlled by the first hardware among the hardware.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the light emitting unit (or light emitting array) (211) may be designed to generate a multi-color (or multiple wavelengths) or broadband (or various wavelengths) light signal to measure a plurality of bio-information. The light emitting unit (211) may include one or more light sources. The light sources may include a laser diode (LD), a light emitting diode (LED), and / or other light sources that generate light. For example, the light source may be designed as a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) type that emits light in a vertical direction (e.g., the z-axis of FIGS. 3 to 7A), or may be configured by combining an edge emmiting laser with a reflector or vertically attaching an edge emmiting laser chip, but is not limited thereto.

[0058] For example, a light source may include a plurality of luminous sources / luminous elements (e.g., a first luminous element, a second luminous element, ..., Nth luminous element) that emit light at different wavelengths. The luminous elements may be of the same type of light source or / and of different types of light sources. When of the same type of light source, the luminous elements may be designed to emit light at different wavelengths.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the light emitting unit (or light emitting array) (211) may include a filter structure (or filter array) (not shown) that filters light emitted from a light source into a specific wavelength range. The filter structure may include filters that selectively transmit only the light required according to biometric information. For example, in the case of oxygen saturation measurement, filters that transmit only light in a wavelength range of approximately 640 nm and a wavelength range of approximately 940 nm may be designed. This is merely an example, and the filters may vary depending on the biometric design applied to the electronic device.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the light focusing change member (213) may change the angle of light emitted from the light emitting unit (211) in a second direction (or vertical direction) (e.g., z-axis) substantially orthogonal to the first direction (e.g., substrate surface direction defined by the x, y axes) and / or focus the light emitted in the second direction (e.g., z-axis) to one point.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the light focusing change member (213) can be designed to change light transmitted from a first direction over the substrate surface into a second direction having a radiation angle of a predetermined angle.

[0062] In one embodiment, the light focusing change member (213) may include, but is not limited to, a grating coupler. In one embodiment, the light focusing change member (213) may be implemented with various structures (e.g., a curved micro mirror, a graded refractive index (GRIN) lens, a diffractive optical lens (DOL), a micro lens array (MLA), a diffractive optical lens (DOL), or / and a computer-generated hologram (CGH)) designed to radiate the light in a second direction (or vertical direction) (e.g., the z-axis) using a grating coupler, a lens, a slit, or a mirror, or may be formed by combining these.

[0063] For example, if the light source is of a type that emits light in a first direction of the substrate surface (e.g., the substrate surface direction defined by the x and y axes), the light focusing change member (213) may be of a type that combines a grating coupler and / or a lens, but if the light source is of a type that emits light in a second direction (e.g., the z axis), i.e., a vertical direction from the substrate surface, the light focusing change member (213) may be implemented in the form of a lens having a refractive index that focuses light.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the light receiving unit (217) may include a photodiode (PD) that detects light. The light receiving unit (217) may convert the intensity of the light it receives into an electrical signal and output it to a processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1). The light receiving unit (217) may selectively detect wavelengths. For example, when the light emitting unit (211) emits light through a light source of a first wavelength range, the light receiving unit (217) may be designed to detect light of the first wavelength range and not detect light of other wavelength ranges. For example, the wavelength selectivity of the light receiving unit (217) may be supported by an optical filter. The light receiving unit (217) may detect only light that has passed through the optical filter. The optical filter may selectively allow light to pass through depending on the wavelength.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the processor (120) can control to change the wavelength band of light generated by the light emitting unit (211) depending on the purpose of biometric measurement. Accordingly, the wavelength band received by the light receiving unit (217) can also be changed.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the processor (120) can obtain biometric information based on light measured from the light receiving unit (217).

[0067] An optical sensor (210) of an electronic device (101) according to one embodiment may include a light-emitting unit (211) disposed on a substrate and including light sources that emit light of different wavelengths. The optical sensor (210) according to one embodiment may include first optical waveguides that transmit light emitted through the light-emitting unit (211) in a first direction on a surface of the substrate. The optical sensor (210) according to one embodiment may include an optical focusing changing member (213) that changes an optical angle so that light transmitted from the first optical waveguides is emitted in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The optical focusing changing member (213) of the optical sensor (210) according to one embodiment may be characterized by a structure that focuses light transmitted from different positions from the first optical waveguides into one point. Hereinafter, the optical sensor in which the optical focusing change member (213) is implemented as a grating coupler will be described, but this is only an example, and the optical focusing change member (213) may be replaced with a different structure. FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate examples of the structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0068] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a biometric sensor or an optical sensor (e.g., an optical sensor of FIG. 2) (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may include a light-emitting unit (320) (e.g., a light-emitting unit (211) of FIG. 2), a filter (or filter array) (330), an optical waveguide (340), a grating coupler (350) (e.g., a light focusing change member (213) of FIG. 2), and a light-receiving unit (370) (e.g., a light-receiving unit (217) of FIG. 2) disposed on a substrate (310). In FIGS. 3A and 3B <301> and <303> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <302> and <304> shows a side view of the optical sensor (210). In the present disclosure, the 'top view' is a view viewed in the thickness direction (second direction, for example, the z-axis) of the optical sensor (210), and the 'side view' is a view viewed in the y-direction. The y-axis direction) is substantially perpendicular to the thickness direction. The optical sensor (210) illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B is exemplified as a structure in which eight filters (330) and eight grating couplers (350) are arranged, but this is only an example.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the substrate (310) may include, but is not limited to, a silicon substrate in a flat shape. The substrate (310) may also include a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate or a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) substrate.

[0070] The light emitting unit (320), filter (330), optical waveguide (340), grating coupler (350), and light receiving unit (370) can be arranged on the substrate (310) at a predetermined distance from each other.

[0071] The light emitting unit (or light emitting array) (320) may be designed to emit light of different wavelengths. The light emitting unit (211) may include one or more light sources. The light sources may include a laser diode (LD), a light emitting diode (LED), and / or other light sources that generate light.

[0072] According to one embodiment, when the light source is implemented as a laser diode (LD), a filter (330) is included, but when the light source is implemented as a light emitting diode (LED), the filter (330) may be omitted.

[0073] The filter (or filter array) (330) can selectively filter the light emitted from the light emitting unit (320). The filter (330) can be designed to selectively transmit only the light required according to the biometric information for various biometric measurements. For example, in the case of oxygen saturation measurement, filters that only transmit light in the wavelength range of approximately 640 nm and approximately 940 nm can be designed, and in the case of heart rate measurement, a filter that only transmits light in the wavelength range of approximately 520 nm can be designed. The filter (330) can be designed in various ways according to the biometric information supported by the electronic device (101) (e.g., saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2), heart rate (HR), photoplethysmograph (PPG), galvanic skin response (GSR), electrocardiography (ECG), and bioelectrical impedance, blood sugar, hemoglobin concentration, triglyceride, body composition, alcohol index).

[0074] The optical waveguide (340) may refer to an optical channel that transmits light. The optical waveguide (340) may transmit light emitted from the light emitting unit (320) or light passed through the filter (330) in a direction of the substrate surface (e.g., the substrate surface direction defined by the x and y axes) to the grating coupler (350). The optical waveguide (340) may extend in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the grating coupler (350).

[0075] The grating coupler (350) can radiate the light transmitted from the optical waveguide (340) by changing the light angle in a second (e.g., z-axis) direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction of the surface of the substrate (310). The grating coupler (350) <302> and <304> As shown in , it can be designed to change the path of light L at a certain angle of radiation from the surface of the substrate (310). The radiation angle of the grating coupler (350) can vary depending on the design.

[0076] The light L radiated in the second direction through the grating coupler (350) can reach a light irradiation area (360) spaced a certain distance from the substrate (310). The light irradiation area (360) may correspond to an area that can come into contact with a biometric specimen (e.g., a part of the user's body), for example.

[0077] The optical sensor (210) may have a light receiving unit (370) positioned at a location capable of receiving light reflected from a biometric specimen (e.g., a part of the user's body). The light receiving unit (370) may convert the intensity of the light it receives into an electrical signal and output it to a processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1).

[0078] Although not shown in the drawings, according to one embodiment, the optical sensor (210) of FIGS. 3A and 3B may be arranged in the electronic device (101) together with one of the lens structures shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C.

[0079] FIG. 4A illustrates an example of the structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment, and FIGS. 4B and 4C are drawings explaining the structure of a grating coupler according to one embodiment. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a grating coupler (450), and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the grating coupler (450).

[0080] Referring to FIG. 4A, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may include a light-emitting unit (420) (e.g., the light-emitting unit (211) of FIG. 2) disposed on a substrate (310), a filter (or filter array) (430) for selectively filtering light emitted from the light-emitting unit (420), an optical waveguide (440) for transmitting light passed through the filter (430), and a grating coupler (450) (e.g., the optical focusing change member (213) of FIG. 2) for changing the optical angle of light transmitted from the optical waveguide (440) in the z-axis direction (e.g., the thickness direction) of the substrate (410). Although not illustrated in the drawing, a light-receiving unit (not illustrated) may be disposed on the substrate (410). <401> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <402> shows a side view of the optical sensor (210).

[0081] In the example of FIG. 4a, the grating couplers (450) can be designed to radiate light L transmitted from the optical waveguide (440) in a first direction (e.g., the substrate expression direction defined by the x, y axes) in a second direction at a constant angle of radiation with respect to the first direction, and the light is focused to one point P. The grating couplers (350) illustrated in FIG. 3a have a structure in which they are arranged parallel to each other on the substrate (310), and it can be confirmed that the light emitted from each grating coupler (350) is radiated in a parallel form. On the other hand, the grating couplers (450) illustrated in FIG. 4a can be arranged on the substrate in a form that is offset from each other by a constant angle so that the emitted light is focused to one point P. Hereinafter, the light emitting unit (420), the filter (430), the optical waveguide (440), and the light receiving unit (not illustrated) are substantially the same as those in FIG. 3, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the grating coupler (450) can be designed in various structures to focus different light sources or lights of different wavelengths to one point. For example, the grating couplers (450) can be designed as in the structure of Fig. 4b. Fig. 4b <403> As illustrated, the first grating coupler (451) is designed to have a radiation angle of a certain angle in the y-axis direction, the second grating coupler (452) is designed to have a radiation angle of a certain angle in the x-axis direction, the third grating coupler (453) is designed to have a radiation angle of a certain angle in the -y-axis direction, and the fourth grating coupler (454) can be designed to have a radiation angle of a certain angle in the -x-axis direction. Lights emitted from four directions can be focused at one point (e.g., center point).

[0083] According to one embodiment, the grating couplers (450) may be designed to have different grating pattern periods depending on the direction of propagation of light. For example, the grating pattern of the grating couplers (450) may be formed through a first grating coupler (451) (e.g., a silicon layer) disposed on a substrate (410), as illustrated in FIG. 4C. The upper portion of the first grating coupler (451) may be formed with a grating pattern including a protrusion (450a) and a trench (450b) (or a pattern in which trenches and protrusions are repeated at a constant period). The first grating coupler (451) may be connected to an optical waveguide (440). Light transmitted from the optical waveguide (440) may be reflected, scattered, and diffracted by the trenches, thereby changing the radiation angle of the light. The period of the grating pattern may be determined by the following mathematical expression 1.

[0084]

[0085] The above mathematical formula 1 is merely an example to aid understanding and is not limited thereto, and can be modified, applied, or expanded in various ways.

[0086] The grating couplers (450) can be designed to have different periods (a) for each wavelength of light. For example, in the optical sensor (210) illustrated in FIG. 4A, the four filters (430) and the four grating couplers (450) arranged in the first region can be designed to have different periods (a) for different wavelengths as shown in Table 1, and the four filters (430) and the four grating couplers (450) arranged in the second region can be designed to have different periods (a) for different wavelengths as shown in Table 2, but this is merely an example.

[0087] Wavelength (um) 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 a (nm) 860 864 868 873

[0088] Wavelength (um) 2.4 12.4 12.4 22.4 3 a (nm) 1036 1036 1040 1045

[0089] Fig. 4c <404> The grating pattern illustrated in represents a structure that radiates light in the Z-axis direction for only one wavelength, but the grating coupler (450) may be designed to change the radiation angle of light for two or more wavelengths by forming the grating pattern differently depending on the direction of light propagation, as illustrated in FIGS. 7a and 8a.

[0090] FIG. 5 illustrates an example structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment can be designed in various arrangement forms to minimize the arrangement area. In FIG. 5 <501> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <502> shows a side view of the optical sensor (210).

[0092] For example, the optical sensor (210) includes a light-emitting unit (520) (e.g., light-emitting unit (211) of FIG. 2) disposed on a substrate (510), a filter (or filter array) (530) that selectively filters light emitted from the light-emitting unit (520), and an optical waveguide (540) that transmits light passed through the filter (530). The optical waveguide (540) may have a structure in which one end of a first grating coupler (550) (e.g., light focusing change member (213) of FIG. 2) and a front end of a second grating coupler (555) (e.g., light focusing change member (213) of FIG. 2) are arranged in parallel and intersect each other. The first grating coupler (550) may be positioned between two second grating couplers (555) when viewed in the first direction. In this case, the optical sensor (210) may further include a lens structure (e.g., the lens structure of FIGS. 13a to 13c) for focusing the light emitted from different locations from the first grating coupler (550) and the second grating coupler (555) into one point.

[0093] In the example of FIG. 5, the first grating coupler (550) and the second grating coupler (555) are arranged substantially parallel to each other on the substrate (510), but while maintaining the arrangement of FIG. 5, they may be arranged at a certain angle to each other so that the light emitted from the first grating coupler (550) and the second grating coupler (555) is focused to one point, as shown in FIG. 4a.

[0094] FIG. 6 illustrates an example structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 6, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may have configurations of optical sensors arranged in correspondence to the length of the substrate. <601> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <602> shows a side view of the optical sensor (210). For example, the optical sensor (210) may be arranged in a serial arrangement rather than the parallel arrangement of FIG. 3A / FIG. 4A / FIG. 5. The optical sensor (210) may have a first light-emitting unit (620), a first filter (630), a first optical waveguide (640), and a first grating coupler (650) arranged in a first region of the substrate (610), and a second light-emitting unit (625), a second filter (635), a second optical waveguide (645), and a second grating coupler (655) arranged in a second region of the substrate (610).

[0096] Although not shown in the drawing, a light receiving unit (not shown) may be positioned corresponding to the position where the light emitted from the first grating coupler (650) and the second grating coupler (655) is focused.

[0097] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment can change the radiation angle of light incident on one or more paths by designing a grating coupler (750) in a grating structure, or can polarize light in different directions depending on the path of the incident light. <701> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <702> shows a side view of an optical sensor (210). The optical sensor (210) arranges a light emitting unit (720), a filter (730), an optical waveguide (740), and a grating coupler (750) on a substrate (710). However, by designing the grating coupler (750) in a grid shape as in the structure of FIG. 7B, the number of grating couplers (750) can be reduced. As shown in FIG. 7B, light (751) entering through a first path can have a first diffraction direction (753), and light (725) entering through a second path can have a second diffraction direction (754). Therefore, a light receiving unit that receives polarized light can distinguish between lights (e.g., 751 and 725), and thus, it can be possible to change the radiation angle of light for two different lights through one grating coupler (750).

[0099] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0100] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may be designed to arrange a grating coupler (750) in a bar-shaped structure at regular intervals.

[0101] <801> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <802> shows a side view of an optical sensor (210). The optical sensor (210) can have a light emitting unit (820), a filter (830), an optical waveguide (840), and a rod-shaped grating coupler (850) arranged on a substrate (810). The rod-shaped grating coupler (850) can scatter light (851) emitted from the light emitting unit or waveguide and radiate it in the z-axis direction (852) of the surface of the substrate (810).

[0102] In the examples of FIGS. 7a and 8a, it can be seen that the number of grating couplers (750, 850) is reduced from 8 to 4 compared to FIGS. 3a / 4a / 5, thereby miniaturizing the optical sensor (210).

[0103] FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 9A to 9C, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may include a blocking barrier (e.g., 970, 973, 975) that blocks interference between emitted light and received light. The blocking barrier (e.g., 970, 973, 975) may block light emitted from a light emitting unit (920) from leaking to a light receiving unit (960), thereby improving a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the light. The blocking barrier (e.g., 970, 973, 975) may be formed of a light-blocking material that does not allow light to pass through. <901> <903> <905> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <902> <904> <906> shows a side view of the optical sensor (210).

[0105] For example, the optical sensor (210) may have a light emitting unit (920), a filter (930), an optical waveguide (940), a grating coupler (950), and a light receiving unit (960) disposed on a substrate (910). According to one embodiment, the blocking barriers (e.g., 970, 973, 975) may be disposed in various forms. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, the blocking barrier (970) may be implemented in a bar shape between the grating coupler (950) and the light receiving unit (960). As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the blocking barrier (973) may be implemented in a frame shape surrounding the outer regions of the light emitting unit (920), the filter (930), the optical waveguide (940), and the grating coupler (950), or as illustrated in FIG. 9C, the blocking barrier (975) may be implemented in a frame shape surrounding the outer region of the light receiving unit (960).

[0106] FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 10A to 10C, a substrate (1010) of a biosensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may be implemented in various shapes. <1001> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <1002> shows a side view of the optical sensor (210).

[0108] For example, the optical sensor (210) may be arranged in a first region of the substrate (1010), such as in the serial array structure illustrated in FIG. 6, where a first light-emitting unit (1020), a first filter (1030), a first optical waveguide (1040), and a first grating coupler (1050) are arranged, and a second light-emitting unit (1025), a second filter (1035), a second optical waveguide (1045), and a second grating coupler (1055) are arranged in a second region of the substrate (1010). A light-receiving unit (1060) may be arranged corresponding to a position where light emitted from the first grating coupler (1050) and the second grating coupler (1055) are focused, and a blocking barrier (1070) in the form of a border surrounding the outer surface of the light-receiving unit (1060) may be arranged. For example, the substrate (1010) may be arranged in a <1001> As shown in Fig. 10b, a rectangular shaped substrate (1010) <1003> The substrate (1013) of the form shown in Fig. 10c <1004> It can be implemented as a substrate (1015) of the shape shown in , and can also be applied to substrates of various shapes.

[0109] FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate structural examples of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 11A to 11C, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may include a monitoring unit (1180) that monitors light emitted or output from a grating coupler (1150). <1101> <1103> <1105> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <1102> <1104> <1106> shows a side view of an optical sensor (210). For example, the optical sensor (210) may include a light emitting unit (1120), a filter (1130), an optical waveguide (1140), a grating coupler (1150), and a light receiving unit (1160) arranged on a substrate (1110). A blocking barrier (1170) may be arranged in the form of a border surrounding the outer surface of the light receiving unit (1160). Light radiated in the z-axis through the grating coupler (1150) may reach a light irradiation area (1115) (or a measurement sample, skin) spaced a certain distance from the surface of the substrate (1110).

[0111] In the case of the grating coupler (1150), the light transmitted on the surface of the substrate (1110) may have some residual light remaining on the surface of the substrate (1110) after the angle of the light is changed in the second direction and is irradiated onto the biometric measurement target (e.g., the user's body).

[0112] According to one embodiment, the monitoring unit (1180) may place a sub-waveguide (1191) and a sub-grating coupler (1190) connected to the output terminal of the grating coupler (1150) to monitor the residual light of the grating coupler (1150), as illustrated in FIG. 11A. The sub-grating coupler (1190) and the sub-waveguide (1191) may be placed at each grating coupler (1150) to monitor both the intensity and wavelength of light emitted from each grating coupler (1150).

[0113] According to one embodiment, the monitoring unit (1180) may be implemented as a mirror having a tapered end (1195) of the sub-waveguide (1191) (e.g., a shape in which the end is gradually tapered) or having a specific angle, as illustrated in 11b, in order to monitor the residual light of the grating coupler (1150). Since the end (1195) of the sub-waveguide (1191) has a tapered end, the residual light of the grating coupler (1150) can be widely spread and the light can be incident on the monitoring unit (1180).

[0114] According to one embodiment, the monitoring unit (1185) may be implemented in an edge illuminated manner in which the end (1197) of the sub-waveguide (1191) has a tapered shape, as illustrated in 11c, and the end (1197) of the sub-waveguide (1191) and the monitoring unit (1185) are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0115] FIG. 12 illustrates an example structure of an optical sensor included in an electronic device according to one embodiment.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 12, a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may have a serial arrangement structure as shown in FIG. 6, in which a first light-emitting unit (1220), a first filter (1230), a first optical waveguide (1240), and a first grating coupler (1250) are arranged in a first region of a substrate (1210), and a second light-emitting unit (1225), a second filter (1235), a second optical waveguide (1245), and a second grating coupler (1255) are arranged in a second region of the substrate (1210). In FIG. 12, <1201> shows a plan view of the light sensor (210), <1202> shows a side view of the optical sensor (210). In this case, a monitoring unit (1280) can be placed between a first grating coupler (1250) of a first region and a second grating coupler (1255) of a second region. Light radiated in the z-axis through the first grating coupler (1250) and the second grating coupler (1255) can reach a light irradiation area (1215) (or a measurement sample, skin) spaced a certain distance from the surface of the substrate (1210). The monitoring unit (1280) can monitor all light (e.g., residual light) radiated through the first grating coupler (1250) and the second grating coupler (1255) through a sub-grating coupler (1290) connected to each grating coupler (1250). The optical sensor (210) may have a light receiving unit (1260) and a border-shaped blocking barrier (1270) surrounding the periphery of the light receiving unit arranged in correspondence to the position where the light emitted from the first grating coupler (1250) and the second grating coupler (1255) is focused. Here, 1215 denotes a biometric measurement target (e.g., a user's body).

[0117] FIGS. 13A to 13C illustrate examples of lens structures included in an optical sensor according to one embodiment.

[0118] FIGS. 13A to 13C illustrate a biometric sensor or optical sensor (210) included in an electronic device (e.g., electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment, including a grating coupler (e.g., grating coupler (350) of FIG. 3A, grating coupler (550) of FIG. 5, first grating coupler (650) and second grating coupler (655) of FIG. 6, grating coupler (750) of FIG. 7A, grating coupler (850) of FIG. 8A, grating coupler (950) of FIGS. 9A to 9C, first grating coupler (1050) and second grating coupler (1055) of FIGS. 10A to 10C, grating coupler (1150) of FIGS. 11A to 11C, first grating coupler (1250) and second grating coupler (12) of FIG. It may also include a lens structure (1310) for focusing light emitted from various locations into one point through a coupler (1255). Although not shown in the drawing, FIGS. 13A to 13C may be drawings in which the light emitting portion, filter, optical waveguide, and grating coupler of the optical sensor (210) are omitted.

[0119] The lens structure (1310) may be arranged in a separate configuration from the optical sensor (210).

[0120] The lens structure (1310) has multiple curvatures and can be designed as a structure capable of not only focusing light but also monitoring output through the lens. For example, in FIG. 13a <1301> As illustrated, the lens structure (1310) may include a first region having a first curvature (1310a) at the center and a second region having a second curvature (1310b) at the periphery. Light emitted through the second region having the second curvature (1310b) may be focused onto a biometric specimen (e.g., a user's body (1315)), and light L that is at least partially reflected or scattered in the light irradiation region (1315) (e.g., a measurement specimen, skin) through the first region having the first curvature (1310a) may be focused onto a light receiving unit (1320). At this time, the lens structure (1310) may have a blocking wall (1333) disposed between the first region and the second region to block the emitted light and the received light from each other.

[0121] The lens structure (1310) can scatter a portion of the light emitted from the grating coupler or light emitting unit toward the light irradiation area (1315) (e.g., measurement sample, skin) using a diffractive optical element (DOE) (1335), and the scattered light L1 can be designed to be reflected downward from the upper reflective surface (1330) and monitored through the monitoring unit (1350).

[0122] According to one embodiment, the lens structure (1310) is as shown in FIG. 13b. <1302> Structure or Fig. 13c <1303> It may be designed to have a reflective surface (1330) without a diffractive optical element (DOE) (1335) like the structure, but this is only an example and designs with other structures may be possible.

[0123] FIGS. 14A to 14C illustrate examples of lens structures included in an optical sensor according to one embodiment.

[0124] Referring to FIGS. 14A to 14C, according to one embodiment, a biometric sensor or an optical sensor (e.g., an optical sensor (210) of FIG. 2) (1400) included in an electronic device (e.g., an electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may be configured by a combination of a light emitting unit (1431) (e.g., a light emitting unit (211) of FIG. 2) of a light source (1410, 1415) that emits light in a vertical direction (e.g., a vertical cavity surface emitting laser, VCSEL)) and a lens structure (1440, 1450). In the examples of FIGS. 14A to 14C, a grating coupler may be omitted. <1401> <1403> is a plan view of the optical sensor (210), <1402> <1404> is a side view of the optical sensor (210).

[0125] For example, a light emitting unit including a plurality of VCSEL light sources (1410, 1415) may be arranged to surround a single light receiving unit (1420), as illustrated in FIG. 14a, or a plurality of light receiving units (1420, 1425) may be arranged, as illustrated in FIG. 14b. In some cases, a blocking barrier (not illustrated) may be arranged between the light sources (1410, 1415) and the light receiving units (1420, 1425). Light (1431) emitted in a vertical direction from various positions may be reflected by the light irradiation area (1430) (e.g., a measurement sample, skin), and the reflected light (1432) may be collected by the light receiving units (1420, 1425). Here, 1430 represents a biometric target (e.g., a user's body), and 1432 represents a light beam reflected from the biometric target (1430).

[0126] As illustrated in FIG. 14c, the optical sensor (1400) may be configured by combining a lens structure that collects light radiating vertically from various locations through a first lens (1430) and focuses it into a single point through a second lens (1440). For example, the first lens (1430) may include a micro lens array, and the second lens (1440) may include the lens structures illustrated in FIGS. 13a to 13c, but this is merely an example, and other lens shapes may be applied.

[0127] An optical sensor (210) according to one embodiment is disposed on a substrate (e.g., a substrate (310) of FIGS. 3A and 3B, a substrate (410) of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, a substrate (510) of FIG. 5, a substrate (610) of FIG. 6, a substrate (710) of FIG. 7A, a substrate (810) of FIG. 8A, a substrate (910) of FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C, a substrate (1010) of FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, a substrate (1110) of FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, a substrate (1210) of FIG. 12) and includes light sources that emit light of different wavelengths (e.g., a light emitting unit (211) of FIG. 2, a light emitting unit (320) of FIGS. 3A and 3B, a light emitting unit (420) of FIG. 4A, a light emitting unit (510) of FIG. 5). It may include a light emitting unit (520), a light emitting unit (620, 625) of FIG. 6, a light emitting unit (720) of FIG. 7a, a light emitting unit (820) of FIG. 8a, a light emitting unit (920) of FIG. 9a, FIG. 9b and FIG. 9c, a light emitting unit (1020, 1025) of FIG. 10a, FIG. 10b and FIG. 10c, a light emitting unit (1120) of FIG. 11a, FIG. 11b and FIG. 11c, a light emitting unit (1220, 1225) of FIG. 12, and light sources (1410, 1415) of FIG. 14a.

[0128] An optical sensor (210) according to one embodiment includes first optical waveguides (e.g., optical waveguide (340) of FIGS. 3a and 3b, optical waveguide (440) of FIG. 4a, optical waveguide (540) of FIG. 5, optical waveguides (640, 645) of FIG. 6, optical waveguide (740) of FIG. 7a, optical waveguide (840) of FIG. 8a, optical waveguide (940) of FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c, optical waveguides (1040, 1045) of FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c, optical waveguide (1140) of FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c, optical waveguides (1240, 1245) of FIG. 12, and optical waveguides (14a) of FIG. It may include light sources (1410, 1415).

[0129] An optical sensor (210) according to one embodiment includes a focusing change member (e.g., a focusing change member (213) of FIG. 2, a grating coupler (350) of FIG. 3a, a grating coupler (450) of FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, a grating coupler (550) of FIG. 5, a first grating coupler (650) and a second grating coupler (655) of FIG. 6, a grating coupler (750) of FIGS. 7a and 7b, a grating coupler (850) of FIGS. 8a and 8b, a grating coupler (950) of FIGS. 9a to 9c, a first grating coupler (1050) and a second grating coupler (1050) of FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c It may include a coupler (1055), a grating coupler (1150) of FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c, a first grating coupler (1250, 1255) and a second grating coupler (1255) of FIG. 12.

[0130] The optical focusing change member (213) of the optical sensor (210) according to one embodiment may be characterized by a structure that focuses light transmitted from different locations from the first optical waveguides to one point.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the light sources may include a laser diode or a light emitting diode.

[0132] According to one embodiment, when the light sources are laser diodes, the light emitting unit may further include filters (filters (320) of FIGS. 3a and 3b, filter (430) of FIG. 4a, filter (530) of FIG. 5, filters (630, 6235) of FIG. 6, filter (730) of FIG. 7a, filter (830) of FIG. 8a, filter (930) of FIGS. 9a, 9b, and 9c, filters (1030, 1035) of FIGS. 10a, 10b, and 10c, filter (1130) of FIGS. 11a, 11b, and 11c, and filters (1230, 1235) of FIG. 12) that filter only light of a specific wavelength range.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the optical focusing change member may include a plurality of grating couplers.

[0134] According to one embodiment, the optical focusing change member may be characterized by a structure designed to radiate light at a constant angle in the second direction using at least one of a grating coupler, a lens, a slit, or a mirror.

[0135] According to one embodiment, the plurality of grating couplers may be characterized in that they are arranged in a grating structure that changes the radiation angle of the first light transmitted through the first path and the second light transmitted through the second path.

[0136] According to one embodiment, the plurality of grating couplers may be characterized by including rod-shaped structures.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the plurality of grating couplers may be arranged in a parallel matrix with a predetermined spacing, but the longitudinal end of one grating coupler may intersect the longitudinal front end of another grating coupler.

[0138] According to one embodiment, the substrate may include a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate or a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) substrate.

[0139] According to one embodiment, a lens structure (e.g., lens structure (1310) of FIGS. 13a to 13c) designed to focus light emitted at a constant angle in the second direction through the plurality of grating couplers may be further included to the one point.

[0140] An electronic device according to one embodiment (e.g., the electronic device (101) of FIG. 1) may include an optical sensor (210).

[0141] The embodiments of this document and the terminology used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiments. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among those phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used merely to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). When a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., a second component), with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0142] As used herein, "substantially orthogonal / perpendicular" means within an acceptable range of deviation from a given value, as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, taking into account the errors and uncertainties associated with measuring a particular quantity (e.g., limitations of a measurement system). For example, "substantially orthogonal" may mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±10° or ±5° of a right angle.

[0143] The term "module" used in the embodiments of this document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be used interchangeably with terms such as logic, logic block, component, or circuit. A module may be an integral component, or a minimum unit or part of such a component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0144] One embodiment of the present document may be implemented as software (e.g., a program (140)) including one or more instructions stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory (136) or an external memory (138)) readable by a machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)). For example, a processor (e.g., a processor (120)) of the machine (e.g., an electronic device (101)) may call at least one instruction among the one or more instructions stored from the storage medium and execute it. This enables the machine to operate to perform at least one function according to the at least one called instruction. The one or more instructions may include code generated by a compiler or code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, 'non-transitory' simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves), and the term does not distinguish between cases where data is stored semi-permanently or temporarily on the storage medium.

[0145] According to one embodiment, the method according to one embodiment disclosed in this document may be provided as a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded between sellers and buyers as a product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)) or may be provided through an application store (e.g., Play Store). TM ) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smart phones), online distribution (e.g., downloading or uploading). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be at least temporarily stored or temporarily created in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0146] According to one embodiment, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and arranged in other components. According to one embodiment, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to one embodiment, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claims

1. In optical sensors, A light emitting unit disposed on a substrate and including light sources that emit light of different wavelengths; First optical waveguides that transmit light emitted through the above light emitting unit in a first direction parallel to the substrate surface; and It includes a light focusing changing member that changes the light angle so that the light transmitted from the first optical waveguides is emitted in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, An optical sensor characterized in that the optical focusing change member has a structure that focuses light transmitted from different locations from the first optical waveguides to one point.

2. In paragraph 1, The above light sources are optical sensors including laser diodes or light emitting diodes.

3. In paragraph 1, An optical sensor in which the light emitting unit further includes filters that filter only light of a specific wavelength range when the light sources are laser diodes.

4. In paragraph 1, The optical sensor wherein the optical focusing change member comprises a plurality of grating couplers.

5. In paragraph 1, The absence of the above optical focus change An optical sensor characterized in that it has a structure including at least one of a grating coupler, a lens, a slit or a mirror, and is designed to radiate at a constant angle in the second direction.

6. In paragraph 4, An optical sensor characterized in that the above plurality of grating couplers are arranged in a grating structure that changes the radiation angle of first light transmitted through a first path and second light transmitted through a second path.

7. In paragraph 4, An optical sensor characterized in that the above plurality of grating couplers include rod-shaped structures.

8. In paragraph 4, An optical sensor characterized in that the plurality of grating couplers are arranged in a parallel matrix at a predetermined distance from each other, but the longitudinal end of one of the plurality of grating couplers intersects the longitudinal front end of another of the plurality of grating couplers.

9. In paragraph 1, The above substrate is an optical sensor including a PCB (printed circuit board) substrate or a PIC (photonic integrated circuit) substrate.

10. In paragraph 4, An optical sensor further comprising a lens structure designed to focus light emitted at a predetermined angle in the second direction through the plurality of grating couplers onto the one point.

11. In an electronic device including an optical sensor, A light emitting unit disposed on a substrate and including light sources that emit light of different wavelengths; First optical waveguides that transmit light emitted through the above light emitting unit in a first direction parallel to the substrate surface; and An electronic device comprising an optical sensor including a light focusing changing member that changes the angle of light to emit light transmitted from the first optical waves in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.

12. In paragraph 11, An electronic device characterized in that the above-mentioned light focusing change member has a structure that focuses light emitted from different locations to one point.

13. In paragraph 11, The above light sources are electronic devices including laser diodes and light emitting diodes.

14. In paragraph 11, An electronic device in which the light emitting unit further includes filters that filter only light of a specific wavelength range when the light sources are laser diodes.

15. In paragraph 12, The above optical focusing change member is an electronic device including a plurality of grating couplers.

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