OPTICAL GESTURE SENSOR HAVING A LIGHT MODIFYING STRUCTURE

• US 20140284462A1
• Filed: 03/21/2014
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Analog Devices, Inc.)
• Inventors: Skurnik, David, Kestelli, Nevzat A., Veygman, Ilya K., Chamakura, Anand, Edwards, Christopher F., Kerness, Nicole D., Parvarandeh, Pirooz, Hsu, Sunny K.
• Granted Patent: US 10,429,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/216
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386

Abstract

A gesture sensing device includes a single light source and a multiple segmented single photo sensor, or an array of photo sensors, collectively referred to herein as segmented photo sensors. A light modifying structure relays reflected light from the light source onto different segments of the segmented photo sensors. The light modifying structure can be an optical lens structure or a mechanical structure. The different segments of the photo sensor sense reflected light and output corresponding sensed voltage signals. A control circuit receives and processes the sensed voltage signals to determine target motion relative to the segmented photo sensor.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a plurality of light sensors configured to detect light and to output signals in response thereto; and

light modifying wall structure disposed adjacent to the plurality of light sensors, the light modifying wall structure configured to selectively block a portion of the light reflected from the object depending on a position of the object relative to the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure comprising a plurality of layers and a plurality of vias, respective ones of the plurality of layers and the plurality of vias offset in a stair-step fashion with respect to a center axis defined perpendicular to a surface of the light sensor assembly.

19. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising an illumination source configured to emit light.

20. The device as recited in claim 19, wherein the illumination source comprises a single illumination source.

21. The device as recited in claim 20, wherein the illumination source comprises a light emitting diode.

22. The device as recited in claim 21, wherein the light emitting diode comprises a single light emitting diode

23. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein respective light sensor of the light sensor assembly comprises a photodiode.

24. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sensors comprise an array of individual light sensors.

25. The device as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sensors comprises a single light sensor partitioned into multiple segments.

26. The device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a processing circuit coupled to the plurality of light sensors to analyze time dependent signals received from the plurality of light sensors and to determine target object directional movement proximate to the device.

2-17. -17. (canceled)

27. A device comprising:

a light sensor assembly configured to detect the light reflected from an object and to output signals in response thereto; and

a light modifying wall structure disposed generally adjacent to a surface of the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure configured to selectively block a portion of the light reflected from the object depending on a position of the object relative to the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure comprising a plurality of layers extending generally upwardly with respect to a surface of the light sensor assembly, respective ones of the plurality of layers horizontally offset with respect to an underlying layer in a direction extending from a vertical axis defined with respect to the surface.

28. The device as recited in claim 27, further comprising an illumination source configured to emit light.

29. The device as recited in claim 28, wherein the illumination source comprises a single illumination source.

30. The device as recited in claim 28, wherein the illumination source comprises a light emitting diode.

31. The device as recited in claim 30, wherein the light emitting diode comprises a single light emitting diode

32. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein respective light sensor of the light sensor assembly comprises a photodiode.

33. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein the plurality of light sensors comprise an array of individual light sensors.

34. The device as recited in claim 27, wherein the plurality of light sensors comprises a single light sensor partitioned into multiple segments.

35. The device as recited in claim 27, further comprising a processing circuit coupled to the plurality of light sensors to analyze time dependent signals received from the plurality of light sensors and to determine target object directional movement proximate to the device.

36. A sensing device comprising:

a light sensor assembly configured to detect the light and provide a signal in response thereto; and

a light modifying wall structure disposed generally adjacent to an edge of the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure configured to selectively block a portion of the light reflected from the object depending on a position of the object relative to the light sensor assembly, the light modifying wall structure comprising a plurality of metal layers and a plurality of through-vias, respective ones of the plurality of metal layers horizontally offset with respect to an underlying layer in a direction extending from a vertical axis defined with respect to the surface.