Optical proximity sensor package with molded infrared light rejection barrier and infrared pass components
First Claim
1. An optical proximity sensor, comprising:
- a substrate;
an infrared light emitter mounted on the substrate and operably connected to and driven by a light emitter driving circuit;
a light detector also mounted on the substrate and operably connected to and driven by a detector sensing circuit;
a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter;
a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector, wherein the second component is discrete and separate from the first component; and
a molded substantially optically non-transmissive infrared light barrier component disposed between and separating the first and second optically transmissive infrared light pass components, wherein the infrared light barrier component, first component, and second component are mounted on a common surface of the substrate, wherein the infrared light barrier component is molded to the first component and the second component, and wherein the infrared light barrier component further covers the light emitter driving circuit and the detector sensing circuit;
wherein at least a first portion of light emitted by the light emitter passes through the first component, and at least a second portion of the first portion of light reflected from an object of interest in proximity to the sensor passes through the second component for detection by the light detector, and the infrared light barrier component substantially attenuates or blocks the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector and thereby minimizes optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter an infrared light detector, a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter and a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector. Located in-between the light emitter and the first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component, and the light detector and the second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component is a substantially optically non-transmissive infrared light barrier component. The infrared light barrier component substantially attenuates or blocks the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimizes optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An optical proximity sensor, comprising:
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a substrate; an infrared light emitter mounted on the substrate and operably connected to and driven by a light emitter driving circuit; a light detector also mounted on the substrate and operably connected to and driven by a detector sensing circuit; a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter; a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector, wherein the second component is discrete and separate from the first component; and a molded substantially optically non-transmissive infrared light barrier component disposed between and separating the first and second optically transmissive infrared light pass components, wherein the infrared light barrier component, first component, and second component are mounted on a common surface of the substrate, wherein the infrared light barrier component is molded to the first component and the second component, and wherein the infrared light barrier component further covers the light emitter driving circuit and the detector sensing circuit; wherein at least a first portion of light emitted by the light emitter passes through the first component, and at least a second portion of the first portion of light reflected from an object of interest in proximity to the sensor passes through the second component for detection by the light detector, and the infrared light barrier component substantially attenuates or blocks the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector and thereby minimizes optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector. - 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 of making an optical proximity sensor, comprising:
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mounting an infrared light emitter on a substrate; mounting an infrared light detector on the substrate, the infrared light detector being spaced apart from the infrared light emitter on the substrate; molding or casting a first optically transmissive infrared light pass component over and covering the light emitter; molding or casting a second optically transmissive infrared light pass component over and covering the light detector, the second optically transmissive infrared light pass component being discrete and separate from the first optically transmissive infrared light pass component; molding or casting a substantially optically non-transmissive infrared light barrier component between the discrete first and second optically transmissive infrared light pass components thereby separating the first and second optically transmissive infrared light pass components, wherein the infrared light barrier component is molded to the first component and the second component, and wherein the infrared light barrier component extends to at least one border of the substrate; and bonding the substantially optically non-transmissive infrared light barrier component to the first and second optically transmissive infrared light pass components. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification