Electronic device having light sensor package with diffuser for reduced light sensor directionality
First Claim
1. Apparatus, comprising:
- a light sensor housing;
a photodetector in the light sensor housing;
a plastic light diffuser that diffuses light entering the light sensor housing and that has first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the plastic light diffuser comprises an array of light scattering features formed on the first surface and mounting clips that extend from the second surface, and wherein the array of light scattering features and the mounting clips are integrally formed as a single plastic member; and
a support structure, wherein the plastic diffuser is interposed between the light sensor housing and the support structure, and wherein the support structure comprises openings through which the mounting clips extend to attach the plastic light diffuser to the support structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic device display may have a display cover layer. The cover layer may have a border that has an opaque masking material with an opening defining a light window for an ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may have a photodetector mounted in a light sensor housing. A molded clear plastic light diffuser may be used to diffuse light for the ambient light sensor that is passing through the light window. The light diffuser may reduce directionality in the ambient light sensor. The light diffuser may have an array of molded protrusions such as flat-topped cones. Alignment features may be formed in the light sensor housing and the light diffuser. Clips and other molded structures for attaching the light sensor to a mounting bracket or other structures may be molded into the light diffuser and light sensor housing.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. Apparatus, comprising:
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a light sensor housing; a photodetector in the light sensor housing; a plastic light diffuser that diffuses light entering the light sensor housing and that has first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the plastic light diffuser comprises an array of light scattering features formed on the first surface and mounting clips that extend from the second surface, and wherein the array of light scattering features and the mounting clips are integrally formed as a single plastic member; and a support structure, wherein the plastic diffuser is interposed between the light sensor housing and the support structure, and wherein the support structure comprises openings through which the mounting clips extend to attach the plastic light diffuser to the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electronic device, comprising:
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a display having a display cover layer coated with an opaque masking layer that has a light window; an ambient light sensor aligned with the light window; and a molded light diffuser for the ambient light sensor that diffuses light passing to the ambient light sensor through the light window, wherein the molded light diffuser has a planar surface through which the light enters the molded light diffuser and a second surface opposite the planar surface that has an array of molded protrusions comprising flat-topped cones with circular bases through which the light exits the molded light diffuser, wherein each flat-topped cone with a circular base has an angled surface and a flat surface, wherein a first portion of the light that enters the molded light diffuser along an axis exits the molded light diffuser along the axis through the flat surface, and wherein a second portion of the light that enters the molded light diffuser at an angle to the axis is redirected towards the ambient light sensor by the angled surface as the second portion exits the molded light diffuser. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A light sensor, comprising:
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a light sensor housing; a photodetector in the light sensor housing, wherein the light sensor housing comprises a rear portion on which the photodetector is mounted and housing walls that extend from the rear portion to surround the photodetector; and a molded light diffuser that diffuses light passing to the photodetector, wherein the molded light diffuser has a first surface with molded flat-topped protrusions through which the light exits the molded light diffuser and a second surface opposite the first surface that defines a first plane through which the light enters the molded light diffuser, wherein each molded flat-topped protrusion has an angled surface and a flat surface, wherein a first portion of the light that enters the molded light diffuser along an axis exits the molded light diffuser along the axis through the flat surface, and wherein a second portion of the light that enters the molded light diffuser at an angle to the axis is redirected towards the photodetector by the angled surface as the second portion exits the molded light diffuser. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification