Proximity sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A proximity sensor comprising:
- a sensor package comprising a lens module;
a radiation source and a radiation detector housed within the sensor package, the lens module of the sensor package being positioned over the source and the detector; and
an optical isolator adapted to substantially prevent internal propagation of radiation between the source and the detector within the sensor package,the optical isolator comprising;
a baffle positioned within the sensor package between the source and the detector, said baffle comprising opposed side surfaces and an upper edge extending between the opposed side surfaces; and
a groove formed in an upper surface of the lens module, a bottom-most part of the groove being positioned adjacent to said upper edge of the baffle.
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Abstract
The internal propagation of radiation between a radiation source and radiation detector mounted within a sensor package is prevented by the use of an optical isolator. The optical isolator is formed by the combination of a baffle mounted between the source and detector and a groove formed in an upper surface of the sensor package between the source and detector. A bottom of the groove is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the baffle.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A proximity sensor comprising:
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a sensor package comprising a lens module;
a radiation source and a radiation detector housed within the sensor package, the lens module of the sensor package being positioned over the source and the detector; and
an optical isolator adapted to substantially prevent internal propagation of radiation between the source and the detector within the sensor package,the optical isolator comprising; a baffle positioned within the sensor package between the source and the detector, said baffle comprising opposed side surfaces and an upper edge extending between the opposed side surfaces; and a groove formed in an upper surface of the lens module, a bottom-most part of the groove being positioned adjacent to said upper edge of the baffle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of manufacturing a proximity sensor comprising:
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(a) housing a radiation source and a radiation detector within a sensor package; (b) fitting or forming a lens module over the source and the detector; and (c) forming an optical isolator adapted to substantially prevent the internal propagation of radiation between the radiation source and the radiation detector within the sensor package, wherein forming comprises;
mounting or forming a baffle between the source and the detector, said baffle comprising opposed side surfaces and an upper edge extending between the opposed side surfaces, and forming one or more grooves in an upper surface of the lens module, the bottom-most part of at least one of the one or more grooves being adjacent said upper edge of the baffle. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A mobile communications device comprising:
- a proximity sensor comprising;
a sensor package comprising a lens module;
a radiation source and a radiation detector housed within the sensor package, the lens module of the sensor package being positioned over the source and the detector; and
an optical isolator adapted to substantially prevent the internal propagation of radiation between the source and the detector within the sensor package, the optical isolator comprising;a baffle comprising opposed side surfaces and an upper edge extending between the opposed side surfaces; and a groove formed in the upper surface of the lens module, the bottom-most part of the groove being adjacent said upper edge of the baffle.
- a proximity sensor comprising;
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35. A method of proximity detection comprising:
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(a) providing a source and a detector within a single sensor package, the sensor package comprising a lens module positioned over the source and the detector; (b) emitting radiation from the source; (c) substantially preventing the internal propagation of radiation between the source and the detector within the sensor package using an optical isolator comprising;
a baffle including opposed side surfaces and an upper edge extending between the opposed side surfaces; and
a groove formed in the upper surface of the lens module, the bottom-most part of the groove being adjacent said upper edge of the baffle;(d) illuminating an object outside the sensor package with a portion of the emitted radiation; (e) detecting a portion of the emitted radiation reflected by the object; and (f) processing the detected radiation to determine the proximity of the object to the sensor package.
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Specification