Optical sensor array mounting and alignment
First Claim
1. A method for mounting a packaged optical sensor array to a lens in optical alignment therewith, comprising:
- attaching a fixture to the lens, the fixture having mounting features on it located at predetermined positions measured relative to a focal plane of the lens, an optical axis of the lens, and horizontal and vertical axes of a scene imaged by the lens;
finding the absolute locations of a plane, a center, and horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array within the sensor package; and
,forming corresponding, complementary mounting features in the package of the sensor array at positions measured relative to the absolute locations found of the plane, the center, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array, said positions corresponding to said predetermined positions of the mounting features measured relative to the focal plane of the lens, the optical axis of the lens, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the scene imaged by the lens, respectively, such that,when the mounting features on the fixture are engaged with the corresponding, complementary mounting features in the package of the sensor array, the sensor array is held mounted to the lens, with the plane of the sensor array coplanar with the focal plane of the lens, the center of the sensor array coincident with the optical axis of the lens, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array aligned with the respective horizontal and vertical axes of the scene imaged by the lens.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for mounting an optical sensor to, and in optical alignment with, a lens or other imaging-forming element of an optical device includes attaching a fixture to the lens, the fixture having mounting features located thereon at predetermined positions measured relative to the focal plane of the lens, the optical axis of the lens, and the horizontal and vertical axes of a scene imaged by the lens. The absolute locations of the plane, the center, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array are found within and independently of the sensor package using automated optical pattern recognition apparatus. Using numerically controlled apparatus, complementary mounting features are then milled into the sensor package at positions measured relative to the absolute locations of the sensor features found by the pattern recognition equipment that correspond to the predetermined positions of the mounting features on the fixture measured relative to the optical features of the lens.
107 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method for mounting a packaged optical sensor array to a lens in optical alignment therewith, comprising:
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attaching a fixture to the lens, the fixture having mounting features on it located at predetermined positions measured relative to a focal plane of the lens, an optical axis of the lens, and horizontal and vertical axes of a scene imaged by the lens; finding the absolute locations of a plane, a center, and horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array within the sensor package; and
,forming corresponding, complementary mounting features in the package of the sensor array at positions measured relative to the absolute locations found of the plane, the center, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array, said positions corresponding to said predetermined positions of the mounting features measured relative to the focal plane of the lens, the optical axis of the lens, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the scene imaged by the lens, respectively, such that, when the mounting features on the fixture are engaged with the corresponding, complementary mounting features in the package of the sensor array, the sensor array is held mounted to the lens, with the plane of the sensor array coplanar with the focal plane of the lens, the center of the sensor array coincident with the optical axis of the lens, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array aligned with the respective horizontal and vertical axes of the scene imaged by the lens. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for mounting a packaged optical sensor array to a lens in optical alignment therewith, comprising:
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a fixture attached to the lens for mounting the package of the sensor array to the lens, the fixture comprising a plurality of mounting features located at predetermined positions measured relative to a focal plane of the lens, an optical axis of the lens, and horizontal and vertical axes of a scene imaged by the lens; and
,corresponding, complementary mounting features formed in the package of the sensor array at positions measured relative to the absolute locations of the plane, the center, and horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array in the package, said positions corresponding to said predetermined positions of the mounting features on the fixture measured relative to the focal plane of the lens, the optical axis of the lens, and the horizontal and vertical axes of a scene imaged by the lens, respectively, such that, when the mounting features on the fixture are engaged with the corresponding, complementary mounting features in the package of the sensor array, the sensor array is held mounted to the lens, with the plane of the sensor array coplanar with the focal plane of the lens, the center of the sensor array coincident with the optical axis of the lens, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array aligned with the respective horizontal and vertical axes of the scene imaged by the lens. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for manufacturing a packaged optical sensor array of the type that includes a substrate, a semiconductor chip mounted on the substrate, a planar photo sensor array formed on an upper surface of the chip, the array having a center and horizontal and vertical axes, and a transparent window through which the sensor array is exposed to incident light, the method comprising:
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finding the absolute locations of the plane, the center, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array independently of any mechanical features of the sensor package; and
,forming mounting features in the package at positions measured relative to the absolute locations found of the plane, the center, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A packaged optical sensor array, comprising:
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a substrate; a semiconductor chip mounted on the substrate, the chip having a planar photo sensor array formed on an upper surface of the chip, the array having a center and horizontal and vertical axes; a transparent window through which the sensor array is exposed to incident light; and
,mounting features formed in the package of the sensor array at positions measured relative to the absolute locations of the plane, the center, and the horizontal and vertical axes of the sensor array within the package. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification