The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of 68 newly granted patents for Apple Inc. today. In this particular report we cover mainly cover millimeter wave antennas for upcoming 5G ready iPhones and biometrics that uses vein imaging using pulsed radiation. We wrap up this week's granted patent report with our traditional listing of the remaining granted patents that were issued to Apple today.

The first granted patent we're covering is that of #9,971,948 titled "Vein imaging using detection of pulsed radiation." Apple's newly granted patent covers methods and systems for imaging, and particularly to image-based identification techniques that include improved methods and apparatus for imaging of blood vessel patterns below the skin of a human subject.

Patent FIG. 3 noted as our cover graphic above is an image of a human subject showing subcutaneous veins, acquired by a pulsed imaging technique in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Technically speaking, Apple's granted patent covers an imaging apparatus / camera that an optical transmitter, which is configured to emit one or more pulses of infrared radiation toward an area containing a body surface of a living subject, and an optical receiver, which is configured to receive the pulses reflected from the body surface and to generate an output indicative of a modulation of the pulses by tissue below the body surface. A processor is configured to generate, based on the modulation of the pulses, an image of blood vessels located beneath the body surface within the area.

Apple' patent FIG. 1 is block diagram that schematically illustrates a system for image-based identification, noted as "Vein ID" in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is an image of a human subject acquired using an infrared imaging technique that is known in the art; and FIG. 3 is an image of a human subject showing subcutaneous veins, acquired by a pulsed imaging technique in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 

The Inventors on this invention includes: Joe Nawasra Ph.D, Apple's Engineering Manager, Depth Hardware covering "next-generation" of Apple Camera Modules; Scott Smith Senior Imaging Engineer; and Andrew Herrington, Camera Systems Engineer.

Patent: iDevice with Millimeter Wave Antenna

Apple's newly granted patent covers their invention relating to phased antenna arrays that are used for handling millimeter wave communications. Millimeter wave communications, which are sometimes referred to as extremely high frequency (EHF) communications, involve signals at 60 GHz or other frequencies between about 10 GHz and 400 GHz. A smartphone also contain wireless communications circuitry for handling satellite navigation system signals, cellular telephone signals, local wireless area network signals, near-field communications, light-based wireless communications, or other wireless communications. Millimeter Wave antennas will be used in future 5G iPhones. Millimeter Waves is directly associated with 5G technology as noted below.

In January of this year Patently Apple covered an IP report titled "Apple's 4th Millimeter Wave Antenna Patent Surfaces that Relates to iPhone Technology needed for 5G Networks." The report noted that in May 2017 Apple sought a license from the FCC covering wireless millimeter wave technology.

Apple's patent FIG. 3 above is a rear perspective view of an illustrative electronic device showing illustrative locations at which antenna arrays for millimeter wave communications may be located in accordance with an embodiment.

Apple's granted patent 9,972,892 was originally filed in Q2 2016 and published today by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The Remaining Patents granted to Apple Today

Patently Apple presents only a brief summary of granted patents with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each Granted Patent is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any Granted Patent should be read in its entirety for full details. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus.