Infrared attenuating or blocking layer in optical proximity sensor
First Claim
1. An optical proximity sensor, comprising:
- an infrared light emitter operably connected to and driven by a light emitter driving circuit;
a light detector operably connected to and driven by a detector sensing circuit;
a first component disposed over and covering at least portions of the light emitter and comprising first external surfaces thereof, anda second component disposed over and covering at least portions of the light detector and comprising second external surfaces thereof, the first and second components being separated at least partially by a gap disposed therebetween, the gap corresponding to a void of material;
wherein the sensor is configured such that at least a first portion of light emitted by the light emitter passes through a portion of the first component, at least a second portion of the first portion of light reflected from an object of interest in proximity to the sensor passes through a portion of the second component for detection by the light detector, a layer of infrared attenuating or blocking material is disposed over at least portions of the first and second external surfaces located adjacent to the void of material, and the infrared attenuating or blocking material is configured to attenuate or block substantially the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected infrared light between the light emitter and the light detector and thereby minimize optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.
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0 Petitions
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 gap. Layers of infrared opaque, attenuating or blocking material are disposed on at least some of the external surfaces forming the gap to substantially attenuate or block the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimize optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. An optical proximity sensor, comprising:
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an infrared light emitter operably connected to and driven by a light emitter driving circuit; a light detector operably connected to and driven by a detector sensing circuit; a first component disposed over and covering at least portions of the light emitter and comprising first external surfaces thereof, and a second component disposed over and covering at least portions of the light detector and comprising second external surfaces thereof, the first and second components being separated at least partially by a gap disposed therebetween, the gap corresponding to a void of material; wherein the sensor is configured such that at least a first portion of light emitted by the light emitter passes through a portion of the first component, at least a second portion of the first portion of light reflected from an object of interest in proximity to the sensor passes through a portion of the second component for detection by the light detector, a layer of infrared attenuating or blocking material is disposed over at least portions of the first and second external surfaces located adjacent to the void of material, and the infrared attenuating or blocking material is configured to attenuate or block substantially the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected infrared light between the light emitter and the light detector and thereby minimize 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, 17, 18, 19)
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20. 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; forming or placing a first infrared light pass component over at least portions of the light emitter, the first infrared light pass component comprising first external surfaces; forming or placing a second infrared light pass component over at least portions of the light detector such that at least portions of the first and second components are separated by a gap that comprises a void of material, the second infrared light pass component comprising second external surfaces; and forming or placing a layer of infrared light attenuating or blocking material over at least portions of the first and second external surfaces located adjacent to the void of material while maintaining the void of material between the first and second external surfaces, the infrared light attenuating material being configured to attenuate or block substantially the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected infrared light between the light emitter and the light detector and thereby minimize optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification