Proximity sensor system with an infrared optical element
First Claim
1. A proximity sensor system for detecting presence of an object proximate to the proximity sensor system, the proximity sensor system comprising:
- a light emitter configured to project light in a first direction;
an optical element configured to steer the light from the light emitter from the first direction to a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction, the optical element having;
a first surface configured to receive the light from the light emitter;
a second surface that is non-parallel to the first surface, the second surface configured to transmit a first portion of the light in the second direction and internally reflect a second portion of the light from the light emitter that is distinct from the first portion of the light from the light emitter; and
a third surface configured to prevent internal reflection of the second portion of the light by the third surface; and
a sensor configured to detect at least a portion of the first portion of the light returned from the object and transmitted through the second surface and the first surface of the optical element.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A proximity sensor system for detecting the presence of an object includes a light emitter configured to project light in a first direction, an optical element configured to steer the light, and a sensor. The optical element has a first surface configured to receive the light from the light emitter and a second surface that is non-parallel to the first surface. The second surface is configured to transmit a first portion of the light in a second direction and internally reflect a second portion of the light from the light emitter. The optical element includes a third surface configured to prevent internal reflection of the second portion of the light by the third surface. The sensor is configured to detect at least a portion of the first portion of the light returned from the object and transmitted through the second surface and the first surface of the optical element.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A proximity sensor system for detecting presence of an object proximate to the proximity sensor system, the proximity sensor system comprising:
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a light emitter configured to project light in a first direction; an optical element configured to steer the light from the light emitter from the first direction to a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction, the optical element having; a first surface configured to receive the light from the light emitter; a second surface that is non-parallel to the first surface, the second surface configured to transmit a first portion of the light in the second direction and internally reflect a second portion of the light from the light emitter that is distinct from the first portion of the light from the light emitter; and a third surface configured to prevent internal reflection of the second portion of the light by the third surface; and a sensor configured to detect at least a portion of the first portion of the light returned from the object and transmitted through the second surface and the first surface of the optical element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for detecting presence of an object proximate to a proximity sensor system, the method comprising:
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projecting, with a light emitter of the proximity sensor system, a light in a first direction; receiving, with an optical element of the proximity sensor system, the optical element configured to steer the light from the light emitter to a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction, the optical element having; a first surface configured to receive the light from the light emitter; a second surface that is non-parallel to the first surface, the second surface configured to transmit a first portion of the light in the second direction and reflect a second portion of the light from the light emitter that is distinct from the first portion of the light from the light emitter; and a third surface configured to prevent internal reflection of the second portion of the light by the third surface; and detect, with a sensor of the proximity sensor system, at least a portion of the first portion of the light from the light emitter returned from the object and transmitted through the second surface and the first surface of the optical element. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification