Proximity sensor module with light reflector
First Claim
1. Apparatus, comprising:
- a light source and a light detector that form part of a light-based proximity sensor; and
optical structures for the light-based proximity sensor, wherein the optical structures include a lens through which light from the light source travels along an axis and wherein the optical structures include a reflector that extends over a gap between the lens and the reflector such that a portion of the lens is uncovered by the reflector and that reflects a portion of the light from the light source at a non-zero angle relative to the axis, and wherein the reflector comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of;
a strip of metal and a prism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A proximity sensor may be mounted below a display cover layer in an electronic device. The proximity sensor may have a light source that emits light and a detector configured to detect reflections of the emitted light from nearby external objects. The light emitted from the light source may pass through a lens along an axis towards external objects. The light source and the detector may be mounted in a proximity sensor housing having openings that are aligned with the light source and the detector. A reflector may be mounted to the proximity sensor in a configuration that bridges the opening over the light source. The reflector may be formed from a strip of metal or a strip of prism structures. Some of the light from the light source reflects from the reflector at a non-zero angle with respect to the axis and enhances proximity sensor performance.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. Apparatus, comprising:
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a light source and a light detector that form part of a light-based proximity sensor; and optical structures for the light-based proximity sensor, wherein the optical structures include a lens through which light from the light source travels along an axis and wherein the optical structures include a reflector that extends over a gap between the lens and the reflector such that a portion of the lens is uncovered by the reflector and that reflects a portion of the light from the light source at a non-zero angle relative to the axis, and wherein the reflector comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of;
a strip of metal and a prism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electronic device, comprising:
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an electronic device housing; a display module in the electronic device housing; a display cover layer that covers the display module, wherein an axis lies perpendicular to the display cover layer; and a proximity sensor mounted under a portion of the display cover layer, wherein the proximity sensor has a light source and optical structures through which light from the light source passes, wherein the optical structures include a lens and a reflector that bridges the lens, wherein the light from the light source passes through the lens and travels along the axis, and wherein at least some light from the light source reflects off of the reflector and travels in a direction that is angled away from the axis by a non-zero angle, wherein the proximity sensor emits a first portion of the light through the display cover layer along the axis and emits a second portion of the light reflected by the reflector through the display cover layer at the non-zero angle. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A proximity sensor, comprising:
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a light source; a light detector; a lens through which light from the light source travels along an axis; a plastic housing in which the light source, light detector, and lens are mounted, wherein the plastic housing has an opening that is aligned with the lens; and a reflector that bridges the opening and that is disposed at a first non-zero angle with respect to the axis such that the reflector reduces crosstalk between the light source and the light detector by reflecting some of the light from the light source at a second non-zero angle with respect to the axis, wherein the reflector comprises a structure selected from the group consisting of;
a piece of metal and a sawtooth structure formed from multiple prisms. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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Specification