Semiconductor Biometric Sensor with Wavelength-Selective Optical Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive biological measurement technologies face challenges in reducing power consumption while effectively measuring biological information such as pulse waves and oxygen saturation, particularly in wearable devices like smartwatches.
Innovation Solution
A detecting device with a semiconductor substrate featuring a first light-emitting section emitting green light, a second light-emitting section emitting red or near-infrared light, and corresponding light-receiving sections, where the first light-receiving section surrounds the second and is equipped with an optical filter to transmit green light and attenuate red/near-infrared light, optimizing light utilization and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light-emitting sections and light-receiving sections are provided to measure multiple biological information, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light-emitting sections (first light-emitting section for green light, second light-emitting section for red/near-infrared light) and multiple light-receiving sections onto a single semiconductor substrate. This merging approach enables simultaneous measurement of multiple biological parameters (pulse wave, oxygen saturation) while maintaining a compact device structure and reducing overall complexity compared to separate measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor substrate serves as a universal platform that integrates both light-emitting and light-receiving functions. The first light-receiving section can detect both green light (for pulse wave measurement) and red/near-infrared light (for oxygen saturation measurement), making it a multi-functional component that reduces the need for dedicated detectors for each measurement type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light-emitting sections and light-receiving sections are provided to measure multiple biological information, then measurement capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple light-emitting sections and light-receiving sections onto a single semiconductor substrate, the patent reduces the total number of independent components and their associated control circuits. This consolidation reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the capability to perform multiple types of biological measurements simultaneously or sequentially.
3Measurement precision
If light emission intensity is increased to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an optical filter at the first light-receiving section that selectively transmits green light while attenuating red and near-infrared light. This local optimization of optical properties allows the first light-receiving section to efficiently detect green light from the first light-emitting section with high precision, while reducing interference from other wavelengths. This selective detection improves measurement accuracy without requiring excessive light emission intensity, thereby reducing power consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The configuration enhances light utilization efficiency, reduces power consumption, and allows for accurate detection of pulse waves and oxygen saturation levels, even with reduced light emission from the first light-emitting section, thereby improving the performance and cost-effectiveness of wearable biometric measuring apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
an optical filter provided at the first light-receiving section, the optical filter being configured to transmit light having the first wavelength band and to attenuate light having the second wavelength band
Implementation Method 2
a first light-emitting section provided at the semiconductor substrate, the first light-emitting section being configured to emit first light having a first wavelength band toward a living body
Implementation Method 3
a first light-receiving section provided at the semiconductor substrate, the first light-receiving section being configured to receive light from the living body based on the first light
Data Source
AI summary
A detecting device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first light-emitting section provided in a layered manner at the semiconductor substrate and configured to emit first light having a first wavelength band toward a living body, a second light-emitting section provided at the semiconductor substrate in a layered manner and configured to emit second light having a second wavelength band toward the living body, a first light-receiving section provided at the semiconductor substrate and configured to receive light from the living body based on the first light, a second light-receiving section provided at the semiconductor substrate and configured to receive light from the living body based on the second light, and an optical filter provided at the first light-receiving section and configured to transmit light having the first wavelength band and to attenuate light having the second wavelength band. The second wavelength band is longer than the first wavelength band.