Proximity illuminance sensor module and mobile terminal using same

• US 10,033,844 B2
• Filed: 01/15/2015
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Byunghwa, Song, Hyunsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOOSALIS, FANI POLYZOS
• Application Number:
  US15/322,379
• Publication Number:
  US 20170134545A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0271 Housings; Attachments or accessories for photometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0414 using plane or convex mirrors, parallel phase plates, or plane beam-splitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/28 using variation of intensity or distance of source G01J1/34 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/025 Arrangements for fixing loudspeaker transducers, e.g. in a box, furniture
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/345 for loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/11 Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a proximity illuminance sensor and a mobile terminal using the same, and disclosed is the mobile terminal of which an upper bezel can be shortened by using: the proximity illuminance (IR) sensor disposed on the rear surface of a front case and disposed to be perpendicular to a display unit; and a light reflector disposed at one side of the proximity illuminance sensor, such that light is incident to the proximity illuminance sensor or emitted from the proximity illuminance sensor to the outside.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a window;

a display disposed on a rear surface of the window;

a front case having the window and the display mounted thereon and defining a part of appearance;

a proximity illuminance (Infrared;

IR) sensor disposed on a rear surface of the front case to be perpendicular to the display; and

a light reflector disposed at one side of the proximity illuminance sensor such that light is incident to the proximity illuminance sensor or externally output from the proximity illuminance sensor,

wherein the light reflector comprises a reflective surface for reflecting light,

wherein the reflective surface is arranged such that the light is output to a non-overlapped area with the display, and

wherein the reflective surface forms an inclination angle together with the window and the inclination angle is smaller than or equal to 45°

.

2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the angle formed between the reflective surface and the window is reduced when the light reflector overlaps the display.

3. The terminal of claim 2, further comprising a receiver disposed at one side of the proximity illuminance sensor, formed on the rear surface of the front case, and having an upper end portion located on the same line as or below an upper end portion of the light reflector.

4. The terminal of claim 3, wherein the receiver is arranged to face a front surface and a sound output from the receiver is externally output through a sound passage.

5. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the sound passage is curved at a bent portion.

6. The terminal of claim 5, further comprising a sound leakage preventing pad provided at one side of the sound passage to prevent a sound leakage.

7. The terminal of claim 6, wherein the receiver is inserted into a receiver insertion hole, and

wherein the terminal further comprises a sound leakage preventing member covering the sound leakage preventing pad and the receiver insertion hole.

8. The terminal of claim 3, wherein the receiver is arranged to face a front surface, a first sound passage is formed by a bracket, and the first sound passage is connected to a second sound passage formed through an upper end of the front case such that a sound is output through an upper surface of the front case.

9. The terminal of claim 8, wherein the second sound passage is inclined toward the front surface.

10. The terminal of claim 8, wherein a part of the front case includes a cut-off portion, and the bracket is accommodated in the cut-off portion.

11. The terminal of claim 3, wherein the receiver is perpendicularly formed at the non-overlapped area with the display, a first sound passage is formed by a bracket, and the first sound passage is connected to a second sound passage formed through an upper end of the front case such that a sound is output through an upper surface of the front case.

12. The tell final of claim 11, wherein the second sound passage is inclined toward a front surface.

13. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the proximity illuminance sensor is electrically connected to a flexible printed circuit board, and the flexible printed circuit board is electrically connected to a main printed circuit board.

14. The terminal of claim 1, wherein a high-brightness material is disposed on a rear surface of the light reflector.

15. The terminal of claim 1, wherein a front camera is disposed on a lower end of the front case.

16. The terminal of claim 15, wherein the front camera is disposed in a camera hole formed on the front case, and a movement-preventing rib protrudes around the camera hole.