PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11327237-B2
Application Number: US-202016905664-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Display-adjacent optical emission or reception using optical fibers

Abstract:
An electronic device includes a housing and a display. The housing defines an interior cavity and includes an optically-transmissive housing component. The display is disposed in the interior cavity and is viewable through the optically-transmissive housing component. An optoelectronic component is disposed in the interior cavity. An optical fiber extends between a first end positioned adjacent the optoelectronic component and a second end positioned adjacent the optically-transmissive housing component. The optical fiber defines a non-linear optical path between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the optical fiber is laterally offset from a lateral edge of the display.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing defining an interior cavity and including an optically-transmissive housing component; 
 a display disposed in the interior cavity and viewable through the optically-transmissive housing component; 
 an optoelectronic component disposed in the interior cavity; and 
 an optical fiber extending between a first end positioned adjacent the optoelectronic component and a second end positioned adjacent the optically-transmissive housing component; wherein, 
 the optical fiber defines a non-linear optical path between the first end and the second end; and 
 at least a portion of the optical fiber is laterally offset from a lateral edge of the display. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a display stack including the display; wherein, 
 a substrate of the display stack extends at least partly between the optoelectronic component and the optically-transmissive housing component. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the housing includes a bezel; 
 the optically-transmissive housing component is attached to the bezel; and 
 the at least portion of the optical fiber is disposed between the lateral edge of the display and the bezel. 
 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the optoelectronic component comprises an optical detector. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the optoelectronic component comprises an optical emitter. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the optical fiber is a first optical fiber; 
 the optoelectronic component is an optical transceiver comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector; 
 the first optical fiber routes electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter to the optically-transmissive housing component; 
 the electronic device further comprises a second optical fiber extending between a first end positioned adjacent the optical detector and a second end positioned adjacent the optically-transmissive housing component; 
 the optical emitter and the optical detector have a first baseline separation; and 
 the second end of the first optical fiber and the second end of the second optical fiber have a second baseline separation, different from the first baseline separation. 
 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the housing includes a bezel; 
 the optically-transmissive housing component is supported by the bezel; 
 the portion of the first optical fiber is positioned between the lateral edge of the display and the bezel; and 
 at least a portion of the second optical fiber is positioned between the lateral edge of the display and the bezel. 
 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the lateral edge of the display is a first lateral edge of the display; 
 the display comprises a second lateral edge, different from the first lateral edge; and 
 at least a portion of the second optical fiber is laterally offset from the second lateral edge of the display; wherein, 
 a portion of the display is disposed between the at least portion of the first optical fiber and the at least portion of the second optical fiber. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the positions of the first end of the optical fiber and the second end of the optical fiber are non-line-of-sight positions. 
     
     
       10. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing defining an interior cavity and including an optically-transmissive housing component; 
 a display disposed within the interior cavity and viewable through the optically- transmissive housing component; 
 a first optoelectronic component disposed within the interior cavity; 
 a first optical fiber bundle extending between the first optoelectronic component and the optically-transmissive housing component; 
 a second optoelectronic component disposed within the interior cavity; and 
 a second optical fiber bundle extending between the first optoelectronic component and the optically-transmissive housing component; wherein, 
 a first set of optical fiber ends in the first optical fiber bundle is spatially multiplexed with a second set of optical fiber ends in the second optical fiber bundle. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of optical fiber ends is interspersed with the second set of optical fiber ends. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the first set of optical fiber ends is optically coupled to the second set of optical fiber ends. 
     
     
       13. An electronic device, comprising:
 an enclosure having an optically-transmissive surface; 
 an optoelectronic component housed within the enclosure; 
 an optical fiber bundle housed within the enclosure and configured to route electromagnetic radiation between the optoelectronic component and the optically-transmissive surface; and 
 an optical path routing controller configured to selectively alter a set of one or more routes of a set of one or more optical paths defined by the optical fiber bundle, the optical path routing controller configured to selectively reposition at least one of a first end or a second end of the optical fiber bundle. 
 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the optical path routing controller comprises a piezoelectric actuator in mechanical communication with the optical fiber bundle. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the optoelectronic component is an optical transceiver comprising an optical emitter and an optical detector; 
 the first end of the optical fiber bundle is positioned adjacent the optical transceiver; 
 the second end of the optical fiber bundle is positioned adjacent the optically- transmissive surface; and 
 the optical path routing controller is configured to selectively reposition the second end of the optical fiber bundle and change a baseline between the optical emitter and the optical detector. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the optical path routing controller is configured to selectively alter a propagation of electromagnetic radiation through the set of one or more optical paths. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the optical path routing controller comprises an optical switch. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the optical path routing controller is configured to selectively block or allow the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through the set of one or more optical paths. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a display housed within the enclosure and having a lateral edge; wherein, 
 at least a portion of the optical fiber bundle is positioned laterally adjacent the lateral edge of the display.

Description:
FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate to electronic devices (e.g., smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, wearable devices, standalone or wall-mounted display screens, and other devices) having optical emitters, detectors, or transceivers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In some cases, it may be desirable to determine whether an object or user is proximate to a device, to determine the distance between an object or user and a device, or to determine a velocity or acceleration of an object or user with respect to a device. It may also be desirable to capture a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or user that is proximate to a device. In some cases, the 2D or 3D image may be an image of a fingerprint, a face, or a scene in a field of view (FoV). In some cases, it may be useful to wirelessly transmit or receive information between devices. It may also be useful to acquire images or data pertaining to a device&#39;s environment. In all of these cases, the measurements, images, or other data may be sensed or acquired optically. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the systems, devices, methods, and apparatus described in the present disclosure are directed to optical sensing using optical fibers or optical fiber bundles and, in particular, to near-display optical sensing. In accordance with described techniques, an optical emitter, detector, or transceiver may be positioned near, under, or partially under a device&#39;s display, and electromagnetic radiation may be emitted and/or detected around the display (e.g., between the display and a bezel) through one or more optical fibers. Due to the availability of very small diameter optical fibers, such a technique enables an optical emitter, detector, or transceiver to emit and/or detect electromagnetic radiation toward/from the front of a device, while maximizing the surface area available for the display. Such a technique may also be used to emit and/or detect electromagnetic radiation through any optically-transmissive component or surface. 
     In a first aspect, the present disclosure describes an electronic device. The electronic device may include a housing and a display. The housing may define an interior cavity and include an optically-transmissive housing component. The display may be disposed in the interior cavity, and may be viewable through the optically-transmissive housing component. An optoelectronic component may be disposed in the interior cavity. An optical fiber may extend between a first end positioned adjacent the optoelectronic component and a second end positioned adjacent the optically-transmissive housing component. The optical fiber may define a non-linear optical path between the first end and the second end. At least a portion of the optical fiber may be laterally offset from a lateral edge of the display. 
     In a second aspect, the present disclosure describes another electronic device. The electronic device may include a housing and a display. The housing may define an interior cavity and include an optically-transmissive housing component. The display may be disposed within the interior cavity, and may be viewable through the optically-transmissive housing component. A first optoelectronic component may be disposed within the interior cavity. A first optical fiber bundle may extend between the first optoelectronic component and the optically-transmissive housing component. A second optoelectronic component may be disposed within the interior cavity. A second optical fiber bundle may extend between the first optoelectronic component and the optically-transmissive housing component. A first set of optical fiber ends in the first optical fiber bundle may be spatially multiplexed with a second set of optical fiber ends in the second optical fiber. 
     In a third aspect, the present disclosure describes yet another electronic device. The device may include an enclosure having an optically-transmissive surface. An optoelectronic component may be housed within the enclosure. An optical fiber bundle may also be housed within the enclosure, and may be configured to route electromagnetic radiation between the optoelectronic component and the optically-transmissive surface. An optical path routing controller may be configured to selectively alter a set of one or more routes of a set of one or more optical paths defined by the optical fiber bundle. 
     In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show an example embodiment of a device; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  show elevations of portions of various example devices; 
         FIG. 2D  shows an example plan view of the device portion shown in  FIG. 2C ; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  show elevations of portions of various example devices; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  show various example configurations of optical fiber bundles; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  show various examples of how optical fibers, or optical fiber bundles, may be used to change the baseline separation between two optoelectronic components; 
         FIG. 7A  shows an example of spatially multiplexed transmit and receive optical paths; 
         FIG. 7B  shows an example of spatially multiplexed transmit optical paths; 
         FIG. 7C  shows an example of split transmit and receive optical paths; 
         FIG. 7D  shows an example of coupled transmit and receive optical paths; 
         FIGS. 8A-8E  show various scenarios in which flexible optical fibers or optical fiber bundles may be repositioned (e.g., moved) by an optical path routing controller that selectively alters a set of one or more routes of a set of one or more optical paths defined by an optical fiber or optical fiber bundle; and 
         FIG. 9  shows an example electrical block diagram of an electronic device. 
     
    
    
     The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof), and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     Electronic devices often include optoelectronic components for providing illumination, sensing the proximity of an object, capturing an image, and so on. In contrast to many solutions that position optoelectronic components under a display and emit or receive electromagnetic radiation through the display (which can result in optical transmission losses of 95-99%), the techniques described herein use optical fibers or optical fiber bundles to route electromagnetic radiation between an optoelectronic component positioned under, partially under, or adjacent a display, to along an edge of the display (e.g., to a gap between the display and a bezel), to an area of an optically-transmissive component or surface. The area of the optically-transmissive component or surface may be adjacent the display or near a perimeter of the display. Electromagnetic radiation may be sensed/detected in a similar manner. 
     Electromagnetic radiation that is emitted and detected adjacent to a display, using one or more optical fibers, may be much less attenuated than electromagnetic radiation that is emitted or detected through a display. In various described embodiments, the optical fiber(s) can have non-linear routes; can enable sensors with different transmit/receive baselines; can be used in conjunction with an optical emitter, an optical detector, or optical transceiver; can be multiplexed, split, or combined; can be coupled with an optical path routing controller or other element that can steer the optical fiber(s); and so on. 
     Directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “over”, “under”, “above”, “below”, “left”, “right”, etc. is used with reference to the orientation of some of the components in some of the figures described below. Because components in various embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration only and is in no way limiting. The directional terminology is intended to be construed broadly, and therefore should not be interpreted to preclude components being oriented in different ways. Also, as used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show an example of a device  100 . More particularly,  FIG. 1A  shows an isometric view of the front of the device  100 , and  FIG. 1B  shows an isometric view of the rear of the device  100 . The device&#39;s dimensions and form factor, including the ratio of the length of its long sides to the length of its short sides, suggest that the device  100  is a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone). However, the device&#39;s dimensions and form factor are arbitrarily chosen, and the device  100  could alternatively be any portable electronic device, including, for example, a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, portable music player, health monitoring device, wearable device (e.g., an electronic watch or health monitoring device), portable terminal, or other portable or mobile device. The device  100  could also be a device that is semi-permanently l located or installed at a single location (e.g., a display screen, security screen, control screen, electronic kiosk display, or television). 
     The device  100  may include a housing  102  that at least partially surrounds or supports a display  104 . In some examples, the housing  102  may include a sidewall  106  that supports a front cover  108  and/or a rear cover  110 . The front cover  108  may be positioned over the display  104 , and may provide an optically-transmissive surface through which the display  104  may be viewed. In some embodiments, the display  104  may be attached to (or abut) the housing  102  and/or the front cover  108 . 
     The display  104  may include one or more light-emitting elements. For example, the display  104  may include one or more semiconductor light-emitting elements, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs); one or more semiconductor-driven electroluminescent light-emitting elements, such as OLEDs that include organic materials charged by thin-film transistors (TFTs); or other types of light-emitting elements (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD) elements, or electroluminescent (EL) display elements). The display  104  may also include, or be associated with, one or more touch and/or force sensors that are configured to detect a touch and/or a force applied to a surface of the front cover  108 . 
     The various components of the housing  102  may be formed from the same or different materials. For example, the sidewall  106  may be formed using one or more metals (e.g., stainless steel), polymers (e.g., plastics), ceramics, or composites (e.g., carbon fiber). In some cases, the sidewall  106  may be a multi-segment sidewall including a set of antennas. The antennas may form structural components of the sidewall  106 . The antennas may be structurally coupled (to one another or to other components) and electrically isolated (from each other or from other components) by one or more non-conductive segments of the sidewall  106 . The front cover  108  may include, for example, one or more of glass, a crystal (e.g., sapphire), or a transparent polymer (e.g., plastic) that enables a user to view the display  104  through the front cover  108 . In some cases, a portion of the front cover  108  (e.g., a perimeter portion of the front cover) may be coated with an opaque ink to obscure components included within the housing  102 . The rear cover  110  may be formed using the same material(s) that are used to form the sidewall  106  or the front cover  108 . In some cases, the rear cover  110  may be part of a monolithic element that also forms the sidewall  106  (or in cases where the sidewall  106  is a multi-segment sidewall, those portions of the sidewall  106  that are non-conductive). In still other embodiments, all of the exterior components of the housing  102  may be formed from a transparent material, and components within the device  100  may or may not be obscured by an opaque ink or opaque structure within the housing  102 . 
     The front cover  108  may be mounted to the sidewall  106  to cover an opening defined by the sidewall  106  (i.e., an opening into an interior volume in which various electronic components of the device  100 , including the display  104 , may be positioned). The front cover  108  may be mounted to the sidewall  106  using fasteners, adhesives, seals, gaskets, or other components. 
     A display stack or device stack (hereafter referred to as a “stack”) including the display  104  may be attached (or abutted) to an interior surface of the front cover  108  and extend into the interior volume of the device  100 . In some cases, the stack may include a touch sensor (e.g., a grid of capacitive, resistive, strain-based, ultrasonic, or other type of touch sensing elements), or other layers of optical, mechanical, electrical, or other types of components. In some cases, the touch sensor (or part of a touch sensing system) may be configured to detect a touch applied to an outer surface of the front cover  108  (e.g., to a display surface of the device  100 ). 
     In some cases, a force sensor (or part of a force sensing system) may be positioned within the interior volume below and/or to the side of the display  104 . In some cases, the force sensor (or force sensing system) may be triggered in response to the touch sensor detecting one or more touches on the front cover  108  (or a location or locations of one or more touches on the front cover  108 ), and may determine an amount of force associated with each touch, or an amount of force associated with the collection of touches as a whole. Alternatively, operation of the touch sensor (or touch sensing system) may be triggered in response to the force sensor (or force sensing system) detecting an amount of force (e.g., an amount of force exceeding a threshold amount) on the front cover  108 . Alternatively, the force sensor (or force sensing system) may be configured to detect a location or centroid of one or more touches, thereby functioning as both a force sensor and a touch sensor. 
     The front of the device  100  may include one or more front-facing cameras  112 , speakers  114 , microphones, or other components  116  (e.g., audio, imaging, or sensing components) that are configured to transmit or receive signals to/from the device  100 . In some cases, a front-facing camera  112 , alone or in combination with other sensors, may be configured to operate as a bio-authentication sensor (e.g., a facial recognition sensor). The device  100  may also include various input devices, including a mechanical or virtual button  118  which may be accessible from the front surface (or display surface) of the device  100 . In some cases, the front-facing camera  112 , virtual button  118 , and/or other sensors of the device  100  may be integrated with a display stack of the device  100  and positioned under the display  104 . In some cases, the front-facing camera  112  and/or other sensors of the device  100  may be positioned under, partially under, or adjacent the display  104 , and electromagnetic radiation emitted and/or received by the sensor(s) may be routed through a gap (or gaps) adjacent the display  104 . An under-display or adjacent optical emitter, detector, or transceiver may also be configured as (or provide) a proximity sensor; a 2D or 3D camera (sometimes in combination with a flood illuminator or structured light source); a bio-authentication sensor (e.g., a facial recognition sensor or fingerprint sensor); an eye/gaze tracker, device tracker, or other optical tracking system; an optical communication system; and so on. 
     The device  100  may include buttons or other input devices positioned along the sidewall  106  of the housing  102  and/or on a rear surface of the device  100 . For example, a volume button or multipurpose button  120  may be positioned along the sidewall  106 , and in some cases may extend through an aperture in the sidewall  106 . 
     In some embodiments, the rear surface of the device  100  may include a rear-facing camera  122  that includes a 2D or 3D camera (see,  FIG. 1B ). A flash or electromagnetic radiation source  124  (e.g., a visible or IR light source) may also be positioned on the rear of the device  100  (e.g., near the rear-facing camera). In some cases, the rear surface of the device  100  may include multiple rear-facing cameras. 
       FIG. 2A  shows an elevation of a portion of a device  200 . The device  200  may have an enclosure or housing  202  and a display  204 . In some embodiments, the device  200  may be the device described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     By way of example, the housing  202  includes at least first and second housing components  206 ,  208 . The first housing component  206  may define a bezel or sidewall around the display  204 . The first housing component  206  may have a unitary construction or include a set of housing segments. In some embodiments, the first housing component  206  may include a first subset of conductive housing segments, and a second subset of non-conductive housing segments. The non-conductive housing segments may be disposed between the conductive housing segments and electrically separate at least some of the conductive housing segments from other conductive housing segments. In some cases, some or all of the conductive housing segments may be used by the device  200  as antennas. In other embodiments, the first housing component  206  may be an extension of a housing component that extends under the display  204 . 
     The second housing component  208  may be attached to the first housing component  206  and may cover an opening formed by the first housing component  206 . The second housing component  208  may also cover the display  204 . The second housing component  208  may be attached to the first housing component  206  by one or more adhesives, gaskets, and/or other components. Although the second housing component  208  is shown to rest on a shelf formed by the first housing component  206 , the second housing component  208  may alternately rest on top of the first housing component  206 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . The second housing component  208  may be an optically-transmissive housing component, and the display  204  may be viewable through the second housing component  208 . 
     The housing  202  (e.g., the first and second housing components  206 ,  208 , alone or in combination with other housing components) may define an interior cavity  210 . The display  204  may be disposed in the interior cavity  210 . The display  204  may be part of a display stack  212  including one or more layers and/or substrates. 
     An optoelectronic component  214  may also be disposed in the interior cavity  210 . The optoelectronic component  214  may include an optical emitter, an optical detector, or an optical transceiver including both an optical emitter and an optical detector. 
     An optical fiber  216 , or optical fiber bundle  218  including the optical fiber  216 , may also be disposed in the interior cavity  210 . The optical fiber  216 , or optical fiber bundle  218 , may extend between a first end  220  positioned adjacent the optoelectronic component  214  (e.g., adjacent an optical port of the optoelectronic component  214 ) and a second end  222  positioned adjacent the second housing component  208  (i.e., adjacent an optically-transmissive housing component). The first end  220  of the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  may be attached to or positioned adjacent the optoelectronic component  214  or its housing by an optically clear adhesive, or by a mounting frame attached to the optoelectronic component  214  or its housing. Similarly, the second end  222  of the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  may be attached to the second housing component  208  by an optically clear adhesive, or by a mounting frame attached to the second housing component  208 . Alternatively, the first end  220  or second end  222  may be positioned adjacent to, but be unattached from, the optoelectronic component  214  or second housing component  208 . 
     The optical fiber  216 , and in some cases each optical fiber in the optical fiber bundle  218 , may define a non-linear optical path between its first and second ends. At least a portion of the optical fiber  216 , or optical fiber bundle  218 , may be laterally offset from a lateral edge  224  of the display  204 . The at least portion of the optical fiber  216 , or optical fiber bundle  218 , may also be disposed between the lateral edge  224  of the display  204  and the first housing component  206  (e.g., between the display  204  and a bezel that surrounds the display  204 , in a gap  226  (e.g., a bezel gap)). In some cases, at least a portion of the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  may additionally or alternatively be disposed between the lateral edge  224  of the display  204  and an edge of another component or module disposed under the second housing component (or cover)  208  (e.g., a portion of the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  may be disposed between the lateral edge  224  of the display  204  and a lateral edge of a camera component or module). At least a portion of the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  may additionally or alternatively be disposed between the lateral edges of any two components or modules. In some cases, the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  may be additionally or alternatively be disposed against the second housing component (or cover)  208 , and extend through a gap between two lateral edges of the display  204 . 
     In some cases, the optoelectronic component  214  may be partly or wholly positioned behind the display  204  or display stack  212 , or partly or wholly included in the display stack  212 . In these cases, a substrate  228  of the display stack  212  may extend at least partly between the optoelectronic component  214  and the second housing component  208  (i.e., between the optoelectronic component  214  and an optically-transmissive housing component). 
     As shown, the first and second ends  220 ,  222  of the optical fiber  216 , or optical fiber bundle  218 , may not be aligned or may be positioned at non-line-of-sight positions. For example, the first end  220 , positioned in a first plane, may not overlap a projection of the second end  222 , positioned in a second plane parallel to the first plane. Non-line-of-sight means that a person or machine looking into one end of the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  (e.g., the first end  220 ) would not see the other end (e.g., the second end  222 ). In other embodiments, the first and second ends  220 ,  222  of the optical fiber  216 , or optical fiber bundle  218 , may have offset or partially non-line-of-sight positions, or aligned or line-of-sight positions. 
     When the port or ports of an optoelectronic component are coupled with optical fibers, or optical fiber bundles, the optoelectronic component can transmit or receive electromagnetic radiation through or to an area that is dissociated from the size of the optoelectronic component or a module that houses the optoelectronic component. For example, the area through which electromagnetic radiation is transmitted or received may have a different size and/or different shape than a corresponding transmission or reception area of the optoelectronic component or its module. This can provide more freedom for device design, or the ability to position the optoelectronic component outside the line-of-sight of an optically-transmissive housing component (e.g., the optoelectronic component may be positioned behind a display or display stack, where it has no line-of-sight access to the optically-transmissive housing component). Furthermore, and in the case of an optical transceiver, the baseline separation of an optical emitter and optical detector may depend on the routing of the optical fibers, or optical fiber bundles, that are used to direct electromagnetic radiation. 
     In some embodiments, the second end  222  of the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  may be significantly smaller than the first end  220  of the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218 , thereby enabling an optoelectronic component or module having a larger aperture size or emission/detection area to transmit or receive electromagnetic radiation from a smaller area, such as between the lateral edge  224  of the display  204  and a bezel defined by the first housing component  206 . 
     The bending of optical fibers or optical fiber bundles, and the selection of optical fiber numerical aperture (NA), can enable an agile fit of optical fibers/fiber bundles that meet desired performance requirements of the optoelectronic component  214 . 
       FIG. 2C  shows an example elevation of a portion of a device  230 , which device  230  may be the same as, or different from, the device described with reference to  FIG. 2A or 2B .  FIG. 2D  shows an example plan view of the device portion shown in  FIG. 2C . The device  230  may have a first component or module  232  and a second component or module  234 , cross-sections of which are shown in arbitrary block form in  FIG. 2C . The components or modules  232 ,  234  may take various forms. In some examples, the first component or module  232  may be or include a camera module, and the second component or module  234  may be or include a camera module housing. The camera module housing may support, encircle, and/or shield the camera module. In other examples, the first component or module  232  may be or include a camera module, and the second component or module  234  may be or include a display stack. In other examples, the first component or module  232  may be or include a camera module, and the second component or module  234  may be or include a housing or other structural component (e.g., a midframe or sidewall component of a housing). In other examples, the first component or module  232  may be or include a microphone, speaker, or camera flash module, and the second component or module  234  may be or include another module, a display stack, or a housing or other structural component. The components or modules  232 ,  234  may also take other forms. In some embodiments, the device  230  may be the device described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     A cover  236  (an optically-transmissive cover) may extend over the first and second components or modules  232 ,  234 . The cover  236  may be attached to and supported by one or both of the components or modules  232 ,  234 , or may be unattached to either of the components or modules  232 ,  234 . In the latter cases, the cover  236  may be attached to and supported by one or more separate housing components (not shown). In some embodiments, one or both of the components or modules  232 ,  234  may be attached to the cover  236  and suspended from the cover  236  (e.g., into an interior cavity  240  of the device  230 ). 
     An optoelectronic component  238  may be disposed within the device  230  (e.g., within the interior cavity  240  of the device  230 ). The optoelectronic component  238  may include an optical emitter, an optical detector, or an optical transceiver including both an optical emitter and an optical detector. 
     An optical fiber  242 , or optical fiber bundle  244  including the optical fiber  242  (see,  FIG. 2D ), may also be disposed in the interior cavity  240 . The optical fiber  242 , or optical fiber bundle  244 , may extend between a first end  246  positioned adjacent the optoelectronic component  238  (e.g., adjacent an optical port of the optoelectronic component  238 ) and a second end  248  positioned adjacent the cover  236 . The first end  246  of the optical fiber  242  or optical fiber bundle  244  may be attached to or positioned adjacent the optoelectronic component  238  or its housing by an optically clear adhesive, or by a mounting frame attached to the optoelectronic component  238  or its housing. Similarly, the second end  248  of the optical fiber  242  or optical fiber bundle  244  may be attached to the cover  236  by an optically clear adhesive, or by a mounting frame attached to the cover  236 . Alternatively, the first end  246  or second end  248  may be positioned adjacent to, but be unattached from, the optoelectronic component  238  or cover  236 . 
     The optical fiber  242 , and in some cases each optical fiber in the optical fiber bundle  244 , may define a non-linear optical path between its first and second ends. At least a portion of the optical fiber  242 , or optical fiber bundle  244 , may be laterally offset from adjacent lateral edges  250 ,  252  of the first and second components or modules  232 ,  234 . The at least portion of the optical fiber  242 , or optical fiber bundle  244 , may also be disposed between the lateral edges  250 ,  252  of the first and second components or modules  232 ,  234 . 
     In some cases, the optoelectronic component  238  may be partly or wholly positioned behind (or under) the first or second component or module  232 ,  234 . 
     As shown, the first and second ends  246 ,  248  of the optical fiber  242 , or optical fiber bundle  244 , may not be aligned or may be positioned at non-line-of-sight positions. For example, the first end  246 , positioned in a first plane, may not overlap a projection of the second end  248 , positioned in a second plane parallel to the first plane. In other embodiments, the first and second ends  246 ,  248  of the optical fiber  242 , or optical fiber bundle  244 , may have offset or partially non-line-of-sight positions, or aligned or line-of-sight positions. 
       FIG. 3  shows an elevation of a portion of a device  300 . The device  300  may have an enclosure or housing  202  and a display  204  and may be constructed similarly to the device described with reference to  FIG. 2A or 2B . In some embodiments, the device  300  may be the device described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     By way of example, the optoelectronic component  214  included in the device  300  is an optical transceiver and includes an optical emitter  302  and an optical detector  304 . 
     In the device  300 , the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  is a first optical fiber or first optical fiber bundle. The first optical fiber  216  or first optical fiber bundle  218  may route electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter  302  to the second housing component  208  (i.e., to an optically-transmissive housing component). 
     A second optical fiber  306 , or second optical fiber bundle  308  including the second optical fiber  306 , may also be disposed in the interior cavity  210 . The second optical fiber  306 , or second optical fiber bundle  308 , may extend between a first end  310  positioned adjacent the optical detector  304  (e.g., adjacent an optical port of the optical detector  304 ) and a second end  312  positioned adjacent the second housing component  208  (i.e., adjacent an optically-transmissive housing component). The second optical fiber  306  or second optical fiber bundle  308  may route electromagnetic radiation received through the second housing component  208  (an optically-transmissive housing component) to the optical detector  304 . The second optical fiber  306 , and in some cases each optical fiber in the second optical fiber bundle  308 , may define a non-linear optical path between the first end  310  and the second end  312 . Similarly to the first optical fiber/fiber bundle, at least a portion of the second optical fiber  306 , or second optical fiber bundle  308 , may be laterally offset from the lateral edge  224  of the display  204 . The at least portion of the second optical fiber  306 , or second optical fiber bundle  308 , may also be disposed between the lateral edge  224  of the display  204  and the first housing component  206  (e.g., between the display  204  and a bezel that surrounds the display  204 , in a gap  226 ). 
     The optical emitter  302  and optical detector  304  may have a first baseline separation  314  in a direction transverse to the lateral edges of the display  204  and first housing component  206 . The first baseline separation  314  may be dictated by the sizes of the optical emitter  302  and optical detector  304 , the configuration of a module  316  or substrate on which the optical emitter  302  and optical detector  304  are mounted, or other factors. The second ends  222 ,  312  of the first and second optical fibers  216 ,  306  or optical fiber bundles  218 ,  308  may have a second baseline separation transverse to the lateral edges of the display  204  and first housing component  206  which, in the example shown, is a “zero” separation (i.e., no separation). Alternatively the second ends  222 ,  312  may have a second baseline separation, transverse to the lateral edges of the display  204  and first housing component  206 , that is the same as, or different from (e.g., less than or greater than) the first baseline separation  314 . The optical emitter  302  and optical detector  304  may also have baseline separations in other directions, such as into the page in  FIG. 3 . Similarly, the second ends  222 ,  312  may have baseline separations in other directions, such as into the page. These other baseline separations may be the same or different, as dictated by the sizes and placements of the optical emitter  302  and optical detector  304 , or as allowed by the lengths and flexibility of the various optical fibers  216 ,  306  or optical fiber bundles  218 ,  308 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an elevation of a portion of a device  400 . The device  400  may have an enclosure or housing  202  and a display  204  and may be constructed similarly to the device described with reference to  FIG. 2A, 2B , or  3 . In some embodiments, the device  400  may be the device described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
     By way of example, the optoelectronic component  214  of the device  400  is a first optoelectronic component, and the device  400  may also include a second optoelectronic component  402 . In various examples, the first and second optoelectronic components  214 ,  402  may be two optical emitters, two optical detectors, or an optical emitter and an optical detector (e.g., components of an optical transceiver). 
     In the device  400 , the optical fiber  216  or optical fiber bundle  218  is a first optical fiber or first optical fiber bundle. The first optical fiber  216  or first optical fiber bundle  218  may route electromagnetic radiation to or from the first optoelectronic component  214 . 
     A second optical fiber  404 , or second optical fiber bundle  406  including the second optical fiber  404 , may also be disposed in the interior cavity  210 . The second optical fiber  404 , or second optical fiber bundle  406 , may extend between a first end  408  positioned adjacent the second optoelectronic component  402  (e.g., adjacent an optical port of the second optoelectronic component  402 ) and a second end  410  positioned adjacent the second housing component  208  (i.e., adjacent an optically-transmissive housing component). The second optical fiber  404  or second optical fiber bundle  406  may route electromagnetic radiation to or from the second optoelectronic component  402 . The second optical fiber  404 , and in some cases each optical fiber in the second optical fiber bundle  406 , may define a non-linear optical path between the first end  408  and the second end  410 . However, in contrast to the first optical fiber/fiber bundle, at least a portion of the second optical fiber  404 , or second optical fiber bundle  406 , may be laterally offset from a second lateral edge  412  of the display  204 , opposite the first lateral edge  224  of the display  204 , such that a portion of the display  204  is disposed between at least portions of the first and second optical fibers  216 ,  404  or first and second optical fiber bundles  218 ,  406 . The at least portion of the second optical fiber  404 , or second optical fiber bundle  406 , may also be disposed between the second lateral edge  412  of the display  204  and the first housing component  206  (e.g., between the display  204  and a bezel that surrounds the display  204 , in a gap  414 ). 
     The first and second optoelectronic components  214 ,  402  may have a first baseline separation  416 . The first baseline separation  416  may be dictated by the sizes of the first and second optoelectronic components  214 ,  402 , the configuration of a module, set of modules, or one or more substrates on which the first and second optoelectronic components  214 ,  402  are mounted, or other factors. The second ends  222 ,  410  of the first and second optical fibers  216 ,  404  or optical fiber bundles  218 ,  406  may have a second baseline separation  418 , which second baseline separation  418  may be the same as, or different from (e.g., less than or greater than) the first baseline separation  416 . However, typically, the second baseline separation  418  will be greater than the first baseline separation  416 . 
     In alternative embodiments of the device  400 , the first and second lateral edges  224 ,  412  of the display  204  need not be opposite edges of the display, but may be intersecting or perpendicular edges. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  show various example configurations of optical fiber bundles. The techniques described with reference to these figures can also be applied to individual optical fibers. 
       FIG. 5A  shows a first example configuration of an optical fiber bundle  500 , which in some cases may be one of the fiber bundles described with reference to  FIGS. 2A-4 . By way of example, each optical fiber  502  in the bundle may have a first end  504  that may be positioned adjacent an optoelectronic component (e.g., adjacent an optical port of the optoelectronic component), and a second end  506  that may be positioned adjacent an optically-transmissive component (e.g., a cover over a display). Each optical fiber  502  may have a first FoV  508  adjacent the first end  504  (e.g., adjacent an optoelectronic component and/or in a device-internal environment adjacent the first end  504 , and a second FoV  510  adjacent the second end  506  (e.g., in the optically-transmissive component and/or an ambient environment adjacent the optically-transmissive component). 
     Each optical fiber  502  may be surrounded, along its length, by one or more cladding layers  512 . In some cases, an optical fiber  502  may have a high-index core, and the one or more cladding layers  512  may include a low-index cladding layer  514  that helps maintain total internal reflection (TIR) of electromagnetic radiation that propagates through the optical fiber  502 . The one or more cladding layers  512  may also include an optional outer cladding or shielding layer  516  that absorbs electromagnetic radiation that escapes the low-index cladding layer  514 . In some embodiments, the low-index cladding layer  514  may be made of glass, and the outer cladding layer  516  may made of a polymer. In some embodiments, the optical fiber&#39;s high-index core may be made of glass, and the low-index cladding layer  514  and/or outer cladding layer  516  may be made of polymers. The core and one or more cladding layers  512  may alternatively be made of glass, polymers, or other materials that help maintain TIR of electromagnetic radiation within the core, suppress optical loss and crosstalk, and so on. 
     A plurality of optical fibers  502  may be bundled by structures such as a bundling frame or strap, or may be encased by a lateral fill material  518 . In some embodiments, the lateral fill material  518  may be a polymer. 
     Each of the one or more cladding layers  512 , as well as the lateral fill material  518 , may aid in suppressing fiber-to-fiber crosstalk. In some embodiments, the lateral fill material  518  may be air, and the optical fibers  502 , with cladding, may be positioned adjacent each other. In some embodiments, some of the optical fibers  502  may be used to propagate electromagnetic radiation, and some optical fibers  502  may have their ends coated with an opaque ink or cladding, or may be opaque fibers, that function as the lateral fill material  518  and help to reduce crosstalk between the usable optical fibers. 
     In some embodiments, all of the optical fibers  502  in the optical fiber bundle  500  may be transmit fibers. Alternatively, all of the optical fibers  502  in the optical fiber bundle  500  may be receive fibers, or the optical fibers  502  in the optical fiber bundle  500  may include a combination of transmit fibers and receiver fibers. 
     In some cases, flexible optical fibers  502  in an optical fiber bundle  500  may be bent to a desired curvature during installation, to provide non-linear optical paths. Alternatively, flexible optical fibers  502  may be bent to a desired curvature individually or collectively, and maintained in their bent positions by a bundling frame, strap, or lateral fill material  518 . It is also possible to flexibly or permanently change the individual or collective curvatures of fiber bundles via fusing and other processes. In other embodiments, flexible or semi-rigid optical fibers  502  may be manufactured (e.g., extruded) with a desired, fixed curvature. 
     The induced bending loss and fiber-to-fiber crosstalk is dependent on the curvature of the optical fibers  502 , the core numerical aperture (NA) (e.g., the core-to-cladding refractive index contrast) for the optical fibers  502 , the transverse beam quality, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, all of the optical fibers  502  may have the same diameter, NA, and curvature. In other embodiments, optical fibers  502  having different diameters, NAs, and/or curvatures may be bundled. In some embodiments, optical fibers may be tap fused into single optical fibers, for coupling and splitting purposes. 
       FIG. 5B  shows a second example configuration of an optical fiber bundle  520 , which in some cases may be one of the fiber bundles described with reference to  FIGS. 2A-4 . By way of example, each optical fiber  522  in the bundle may have a first end  524  that may be positioned adjacent an optoelectronic component (e.g., adjacent an optical port of the optoelectronic component), and a second end  526  that may be positioned adjacent an optically-transmissive component (e.g., a cover over a display). Each optical fiber  522  may have a first FoV  528  adjacent the first end  524  (e.g., adjacent an optoelectronic component and/or in a device-internal environment adjacent the first end  524 , and a second FoV  530  adjacent the second end  526  (e.g., in the optically-transmissive component and/or an ambient environment adjacent the optically-transmissive component). 
     Each optical fiber  522  may have a high-index core surrounded, along its length, by a lateral fill material  532 , such as a low-index, infrared (IR)-absorbing material. 
     In use, each of the optical fibers in the optical fiber bundles described herein, when positioned adjacent an optical emitter, may receive the same illumination, or different optical fibers may receive different illumination. For example, a single electromagnetic radiation source that produces flood illumination, or an array of electromagnetic radiation sources that, together, produce flood illumination, may emit electromagnetic radiation into a plurality of optical fibers in an optical fiber bundle. Alternatively, different electromagnetic radiation sources, or different subsets of electromagnetic radiation sources, may emit electromagnetic radiation into different optical fibers or different subsets of optical fibers in an optical fiber bundle. 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  show various examples of how optical fibers, or optical fiber bundles, may be used to change the baseline separation between two optoelectronic components. By way of example, the optoelectronic components are an optical emitter and an optical detector of an optical transceiver. However, the optoelectronic components may alternatively be two optical emitters or two optical detectors. 
       FIG. 6A  shows an example optical transceiver  600  positioned in relation to an optically-transmissive housing component and/or surface  602 . The optical transceiver  600  may in some cases be one of the optoelectronic components described with reference to  FIGS. 2A-4 . 
     The optical transceiver  600  may include an optical emitter  604  and an optical detector  606 . The optical emitter  604  may include one or multiple electromagnetic radiation sources (e.g., one or multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or lasers). The optical detector  606  may include one or multiple photosensitive elements (e.g., one or multiple photodetectors providing a proximity sensor, or an array of photodetectors providing a camera or depth sensor). In some embodiments, a set of one or more lenses  608  may be positioned in the optical emission path of the optical emitter  604  and/or a set of one or more lenses  610  may be positioned in the optical reception path of the optical detector  606 . The lenses may provide beam-shaping or beam-directing, and may variously collimate, fan-out, or otherwise shape electromagnetic radiation that exits one or more optical fibers. Sets of lenses may also be positioned between the optical fibers and the optically-transmissive housing component, and may also be used for beam-shaping or beam-directing. In some cases, optical filters may be used in combination with the lenses (or independently of the lenses). 
     A first optical fiber  612  or first optical fiber bundle  614  may have a first end  616  adjacent the optical emitter  604  (or optical port of the optical emitter  604 ) or set of one or more lenses  608 , and a second end  618  adjacent the optically-transmissive housing component  602 . A second optical fiber  620  or second optical fiber bundle  622  may have a first end  624  adjacent the optical detector  606  (or optical port of the optical detector  606 ) or set of one or more lenses  610 , and a second end  626  adjacent the optically-transmissive housing component  602 . 
     The optical emitter  604  and optical detector  606  may have a first baseline separation  628 . The second ends  618 ,  626  of the first and second optical fibers  612 ,  620  or optical fiber bundles  614 ,  622  may have a second baseline separation  630 , which second baseline separation  630  may be the same as, or different from (e.g., less than or greater than), the first baseline separation  628 . In some embodiments, the second ends  618 ,  626  of the optical fibers  612 ,  620  or optical fiber bundles  614 ,  622  may be separated by a light-blocking element; a light-absorbing element; a light-reflecting element; a light-blocking, light-absorbing, or light-reflecting ink; a display; and so on. The optical fibers  612 ,  620  or optical fiber bundles  614 ,  622  allow the second baseline separation  630  between the second ends  618 ,  626  to be configured for a sensing resolution, crosstalk reduction, and so on, independently of the first baseline separation  628 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows an example alternative configuration  640  of the optical transceiver  600  described with reference to  FIG. 6A . In the alternative configuration  640 , the optical detector  606  has a wider footprint, and the set of one or more lenses  610  includes a pyramidal stack of lenses. The pyramidal stack of lenses may extend to near the optically-transmissive housing component  602 , and thus the second optical fiber  620  or second optical fiber bundle  622  may not be needed. 
     This wider footprint of the optical detector  606  may increase the first baseline separation  628  between the optical emitter  604  and optical detector  606 . To decrease the effective baseline separation between the optical emitter  604  and optical detector  606 , the first optical fiber  612  or first optical fiber bundle  614  may pipe electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter  604  closer to an area of the optically-transmissive housing component  602  where electromagnetic radiation that ultimately propagates to the optical detector  606  is received through the optically-transmissive housing component  602 , thereby decreasing the second baseline separation  630 . 
     In some cases, the optical detector  606  shown in  FIG. 6B  may be a camera or image sensor, and the first optical fiber  612  or first optical fiber bundle  614  may be routed through an aperture created for the camera. 
       FIG. 6C  shows an example alternative configuration  650  of the optical transceiver  600  described with reference to  FIG. 6A . In the alternative configuration  650 , the optical emitter  604  has a wider footprint, and the set of one or more lenses  608  includes a pyramidal stack of lenses. The pyramidal stack of lenses may extend to near the optically-transmissive housing component  602 , and thus the first optical fiber  612  or first optical fiber bundle  614  is not needed. 
     This wider footprint of the optical emitter  604  may increase the first baseline separation  628  between the optical emitter  604  and optical detector  606 . To decrease the effective baseline separation between the optical emitter  604  and optical detector  606 , the second optical fiber  620  or second optical fiber bundle  622  may collect electromagnetic radiation received through the optically-transmissive housing component  602  from closer to where electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter  604  passes through the optically-transmissive housing component  602 , thereby decreasing the second baseline separation  630 . 
     In general, a greater second baseline separation in each of  FIGS. 6A-6C  can reduce crosstalk between an optical emitter and an optical detector. A greater baseline separation can also improve sensing applications in which emitted electromagnetic radiation needs to travel through a medium before being sensed (e.g., in the case of a heart rate sensor). A greater second baseline separation can also improve stereo vision for two optical detectors. A lesser second baseline separation can be advantageous in that it can minimize the surface area needed on an optically-transmissive component or surface. A lesser second baseline separation can also minimize the sensing blind zone close to the optically-transmissive housing component  602 , which sensing blind zone is created by the optical emitter/detector FoVs and baseline separation. 
     In some cases, it may be useful to multiplex, split, or couple optical paths. Various such scenarios are described with reference to  FIGS. 7A-7D . 
       FIG. 7A  shows an example of spatially multiplexed transmit and receive optical paths. A first optical fiber bundle  700  has a first end  702  positioned adjacent an optical emitter  704  of a first optical transceiver  706 , and a second optical fiber bundle  708  has a first end  710  positioned adjacent an optical detector  712  of a second optical transceiver  714 . 
     If the optical emitter  704  and optical detector  712  are enabled at different times, or if the optical emitter  704  and optical detector  712  emit/detect different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, or in various other scenarios, the second ends  716 ,  718  of the optical fiber bundles  700 ,  708  may be interspersed or coupled (e.g., fused). In the case of interspersion, the optical fibers of one optical fiber bundle may help reduce crosstalk when the optical fibers of the other optical fiber bundle are in use. In the case of coupling, the same set of ports may be used to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation (e.g., optical fibers in each optical fiber bundle  700 ,  708  may be coupled in a pair-wise manner). When the optical detector  712  detects different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation than the optical emitter  704  emits, or when the optical detector  712  is used to monitor an output of the optical emitter  704 , for example, the first and second optical fiber bundles  700 ,  708  may be used by the optical emitter  704  and optical detector  712  at the same time. 
       FIG. 7B  shows an example of spatially multiplexed transmit optical paths. A first optical fiber bundle  720  has a first end  722  positioned adjacent an optical emitter  724  of an optical transceiver  726 , and a second optical fiber bundle  728  has a first end  730  positioned adjacent a portion of a display  732 . 
     The second ends of the optical fibers in the first and second optical fiber bundles  720 ,  728  may be interspersed, or coupled (e.g., fused) such that the optical fibers in the first and second optical fiber bundles  720 ,  728  share a same set of optical ports. In some embodiments, the optical emitter  724  may emit at a different wavelength than the display  732 . In some embodiments, the optical emitter  724  may emit at a same wavelength as some of the pixels of the display  732 . In some embodiments, the optical emitter  724  and display  732  may emit at the same time. In other embodiments, the optical emitter  724  and display  732  may emit at different times. For example, the optical emitter  724  may emit during a refresh period of the display  732 . 
     Although the optical transceiver  726  is shown offset from the display  732  in  FIG. 7B , the optical transceiver  726  may alternatively be partially or wholly positioned under the display  732  in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 7C  shows an example of split transmit and receive optical paths. First and second optical fiber bundles  740 ,  742  share a set of first ends  744  positioned adjacent an optical emitter  746  of an optical transceiver  748 , but have separate second ends  750 ,  752  disposed at different locations (e.g., different areas of an optically-transmissive housing component or surface). Similarly, third and fourth optical fiber bundles  754 ,  756  share a set of first ends  758  positioned adjacent an optical detector  760  of the optical transceiver  748 , but have separate second ends  762 ,  764  disposed at different locations. In some embodiments, the second ends  762 ,  764  of the second and third optical fiber bundles may be interspersed or coupled (e.g., fused), but they need not be. 
     In use, the optical emitter  746  may emit electromagnetic radiation into the optical fibers of the first and second optical fiber bundles  740 ,  742  simultaneously, or an optical path routing controller, such as an optical switch, isolator, or circulator, may be used to enable emission through the optical fibers of the first optical fiber bundle  740  or the second optical fiber bundle  742 . Similarly, the optical detector  760  may receive electromagnetic radiation through the optical fibers of the third and fourth optical fiber bundles  754 ,  756  simultaneously, or an optical path routing controller may be used to enable reception through the optical fibers of the third optical fiber bundle  754  or the fourth optical fiber bundle  756 . In some examples, an optical path routing controller may selectively alter a propagation of electromagnetic radiation through an optical fiber, optical fiber bundle, or set of one or more optical paths. In some examples, an optical path routing controller may selectively block or allow the propagation of electromagnetic radiation through an optical fiber, optical fiber bundle, or set of one or more optical paths. 
     When one or more optical path routing controllers are used, the first through fourth optical fiber bundles  740 ,  742 ,  754 ,  756  may provide four sensing channels. In some cases, the sensing channel formed between the second and third optical fiber bundles may be used for proximity detection or imaging. In some cases, the sensing channel formed between the first and fourth optical fiber bundles  740 ,  756  may be used for stereo vision. In some cases, the sensing channel formed between the first and third optical fiber bundles  740 ,  754 , or the sensing channel formed between the second and fourth optical fiber bundles  742 ,  756 , and/or the sensing channel formed between the second and third optical fiber bundles  742 ,  754  may be used for calibration, spatial information, or tracking purposes. The various sensing channels may also be used for other purposes. 
       FIG. 7D  shows an example of coupled transmit and receive optical paths. A first optical fiber bundle  770  has a first end  772  positioned adjacent an optical emitter  774  of an optical transceiver  776 , and a second optical fiber bundle  778  has a first end  780  positioned adjacent an optical detector  782  of the optical transceiver  776 . The first and second optical fiber bundles  770 ,  778  are coupled fused or otherwise coupled at a second set of ends, to provide a set of shared optical ports  784 . 
     In use, the optical emitter  774  and optical detector  782  may be operated at the same or different times. When operated at the same time, the optical detector  782  may in some cases receive a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the optical emitter  774  as a back-reflection from the optical ports  784 . In such cases, the output of the optical detector  782  may be gated or filtered to ignore the back-reflection, or the back-reflection may be used for calibration or other purposes. It is also possible to employ non-reciprocal elements, such as an inline isolator and circulator, to mitigate or avoid the back-reflections. 
       FIGS. 8A-8E  show various scenarios in which flexible optical fibers or optical fiber bundles may be repositioned (e.g., moved) by an optical path routing controller that selectively alters a set of one or more routes of a set of one or more optical paths defined by an optical fiber or optical fiber bundle. The route alteration may be used for purposes such as beam steering, adaptive baselining, channel switching, and/or beam shaping. 
       FIG. 8A  shows a first example use of an optical path routing controller, in conjunction with the optical transceiver  600  described with reference to  FIG. 6B . As shown, the optical path routing controller  800  may selectively reposition the second end  618  of the first optical fiber  612  or optical fiber bundle  614  between a first position and a second position, or to intermediate positions therebetween, as denoted by the arrow  802 . 
     In some embodiments, the optical path routing controller  800  may include a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), a piezoelectric actuator, a shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuator, or a voice coil motor (VCM) actuator. The optical path routing controller  800  may include a processor or other controller  804  that actuates an actuator component  806  (e.g., a MEMS, piezo, SMA, or VCM) that attaches the optical fiber  612  or optical fiber bundle  614  to an optical port of the optical emitter  604 , or alternatively actuates an actuator component  808  (e.g., a MEMS, piezo, SMA, or VCM) that pushes or pulls the optical fiber  612  or optical fiber bundle  614  along its length. 
     Repositioning the optical fiber  612  or optical fiber bundle  614  changes the second baseline separation  630  (i.e., the effective baseline separation) between the optical emitter  604  and the optical detector  606 . 
       FIG. 8B  shows a second example use of an optical path routing controller, in conjunction with the optical transceiver  600  described with reference to  FIG. 6C . As shown, the optical path routing controller  810  may selectively reposition the second end  626  of the first optical fiber  620  or optical fiber bundle  622  between a first position and a second position, or to intermediate positions therebetween, as denoted by the arrow  812 . 
     The optical path routing controller  810  may be configured similarly to the optical path routing controller described with reference to  FIG. 8A , and may include a processor or other controller  814  that actuates an actuator component  816  (e.g., a MEMS, piezo, SMA, or VCM) that attaches the optical fiber  620  or optical fiber bundle  622  to an optical port of the optical detector  606 , or alternatively actuates an actuator component  818  (e.g., a MEMS, piezo, SMA, or VCM) that pushes or pulls the optical fiber  620  or optical fiber bundle  622  along its length. 
       FIG. 8C  shows a third example use of an optical path routing controller, in conjunction with the optical transceiver  600  described with reference to  FIG. 6A . As shown, a first optical path routing controller  820  may selectively reposition the second end  618  of the first optical fiber  612  or optical fiber bundle  614  between a first position and a second position, or to intermediate positions therebetween, as denoted by the arrow  822 . Similarly, a second optical path routing controller  824  may selectively reposition the second end  626  of the first optical fiber  620  or optical fiber bundle  622  between a first position and a second position, or to intermediate positions therebetween, as denoted by the arrow  826 . The first and second optical path routing controllers  820 ,  824  may be configured as described with reference to  FIGS. 8A-8B . The arrangement shown in  FIG. 8C  can provide a wider range of effective baseline separations for the optical emitter  604  and optical detector  606 . 
       FIG. 8D  shows a fourth example use of an optical path routing controller, in conjunction with the optical transceiver  600  described with reference to  FIG. 6A . However, in  FIG. 8D , only a single optical fiber  830  or optical fiber bundle  832  is used, and is maintained (e.g., attached or mounted) in a fixed position with respect to the optically-transmissive housing component  602 . An optical path routing controller  834  is then used to multiplex use of the optical fiber  830  or optical fiber bundle  832  between the optical emitter  604  and optical detector  606 , by moving an end  836  of the optical fiber  830  or optical fiber bundle  832  between an optical port of the optical emitter  604  and an optical port of the optical detector  606 . In an effect, the optical path routing controller  834  may be used to switch use of the optical fiber  830  or optical fiber bundle  832  between an emission channel and a detection channel. 
       FIG. 8E  shows a fifth example use of an optical path routing controller. In  FIG. 8E , an optical fiber  840  or optical fiber bundle  842  has a first end  844  positioned adjacent an optoelectronic component  846 , and a second end  848  positioned adjacent an optically-transmissive component or surface  850 . An optical path routing controller  852  is configured to reposition the optical fiber  840  or optical fiber bundle  842  such that the second end  848  changes its orientation with respect to the optically-transmissive component or surface  850 . For example, the second end may be repositioned to tilt left, tilt right, or assume other orientations (e.g., an orientation parallel to the optically-transmissive component or surface  850 ). In this manner, the angle of the optical fiber&#39;s or optical fiber bundle&#39;s FoV may be changed, and a potentially wider FoV may be scanned in an angular space. 
       FIG. 9  shows a sample electrical block diagram of an electronic device  900 , which electronic device may in some cases take the form of the device described with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  and/or have a display stack or under-display optical emitter or transceiver as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-8E . The electronic device  900  may include a display  902  (e.g., a light-emitting display), a processor  904 , a power source  906 , a memory  908  or storage device, a sensor system  910 , or an input/output (I/O) mechanism  912  (e.g., an input/output device, input/output port, or haptic input/output interface). The processor  904  may control some or all of the operations of the electronic device  900 . The processor  904  may communicate, either directly or indirectly, with some or all of the other components of the electronic device  900 . For example, a system bus or other communication mechanism  914  can provide communication between the display  902 , the processor  904 , the power source  906 , the memory  908 , the sensor system  910 , and the I/O mechanism  912 . 
     The processor  904  may be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions, whether such data or instructions are in the form of software or firmware or otherwise encoded. For example, the processor  904  may include a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an ASIC, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, or a combination of such devices. As described herein, the term “processor” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements. 
     It should be noted that the components of the electronic device  900  can be controlled by multiple processors. For example, select components of the electronic device  900  (e.g., the sensor system  910 ) may be controlled by a first processor and other components of the electronic device  900  (e.g., the display  902 ) may be controlled by a second processor, where the first and second processors may or may not be in communication with each other. 
     The power source  906  can be implemented with any device capable of providing energy to the electronic device  900 . For example, the power source  906  may include one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries. Additionally or alternatively, the power source  906  may include a power connector or power cord that connects the electronic device  900  to another power source, such as a wall outlet. 
     The memory  908  may store electronic data that can be used by the electronic device  900 . For example, the memory  908  may store electrical data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, timing signals, control signals, and data structures or databases. The memory  908  may include any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory  908  may include random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, other types of storage elements, or combinations of such memory types. 
     The electronic device  900  may also include one or more sensor systems  910  positioned almost anywhere on the electronic device  900 . However, at least one optical transceiver may be positioned under the display  902 , and may be configured to transmit and receive light through the display  902 . The sensor system(s)  910  may be configured to sense one or more types of parameters, such as but not limited to, light; touch; force; heat; movement; relative motion; biometric data (e.g., biological parameters) of a user; proximity of an object; depth of an object; and so on. By way of example, the sensor system(s)  910  may include a heat sensor, a position sensor, a light or optical sensor (e.g., an optical transceiver), an accelerometer, a pressure transducer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a health monitoring sensor, and so on. Additionally, the one or more sensor systems  910  may utilize any suitable sensing technology, including, but not limited to, capacitive, ultrasonic, resistive, optical, ultrasound, piezoelectric, and thermal sensing technology. 
     The I/O mechanism  912  may transmit or receive data from a user or another electronic device. The I/O mechanism  912  may include the display  902 , a touch sensing input surface, a crown, one or more buttons (e.g., a graphical user interface “home” button), one or more cameras (including an under-display camera), one or more microphones or speakers, one or more ports such as a microphone port, and/or a keyboard. Additionally or alternatively, the I/O mechanism  912  may transmit electronic signals via a communications interface, such as a wireless, wired, and/or optical communications interface. Examples of wireless and wired communications interfaces include, but are not limited to, cellular and Wi-Fi communications interfaces. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art, after reading this description, that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, after reading this description, that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology may be the gathering and use of data available from various sources, including biometric data (e.g., the presence and/or proximity of a user to a device, a user&#39;s fingerprint or face map, and so on). The present disclosure contemplates that, in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to identify, locate, or contact a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to activate or deactivate various functions of the user&#39;s device, or gather performance metrics for the user&#39;s device or the user. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of advertisement delivery services, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide mood-associated data for targeted content delivery services. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time mood-associated data is maintained or entirely prohibit the development of a baseline mood profile. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users by inferring preferences based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being requested by the device associated with a user, other non-personal information available to the content delivery services, or publicly available information.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200618
Publication Date: 20220510
Grant Date: 20220510
Priority Date: 20200618
Inventors: CHEN, TONG
WINKLER, MARK T.
MCCORD, MICHAEL K.
XU, Tingjun
ZHAO, Xianwei
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02B6/08", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3598", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T7/70", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1637", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M2250/12", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4246", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3578", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/25", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4246", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0266", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T7/20", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3578", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/4246", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T7/70", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/40", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3598", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06T7/20", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B10/25", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 79023409