Proximity sensor module with light reflector

• US 9,983,027 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 05/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ruh, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Chavez, Renee
• Application Number:
  US15/001,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20160209245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/26 characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/125 Composite devices with photosensitive elements and electroluminescent elements within one single body
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/167 the light sources and the devices sensitive to radiation all being semiconductor devices characterised by potential barriers

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.

Claims

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 that directs light from the light source along an axis onto an external object, and wherein the optical structures include a reflector that extends over a gap between the lens and the reflector and that reflects a portion of the light from the light source onto the external object at a non-zero angle relative to the axis.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising:

proximity sensor housing structures in which the light source and the lens are mounted; and

a clear bracket that wraps at least partially around the proximity sensor housing structures.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2, wherein the reflector is formed from the clear bracket.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 2 further comprising:

a metal bracket that wraps at least partially around the proximity sensor housing structures, wherein the metal bracket overlaps the clear bracket on opposing sides of the proximity sensor housing structures.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4, wherein the reflector is formed from the metal bracket.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a display cover layer that defines a plane, wherein the proximity sensor and the optical structures are mounted beneath the display cover layer, and wherein the axis is substantially orthogonal to the plane.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 6, wherein the light that is directed along the axis by the lens and the portion of the light that is reflected at the non-zero angle by the reflector pass through the display cover layer onto the external object.

8. The apparatus defined in claim 6 further comprising:

a layer of adhesive interposed between the reflector and the display cover layer that attaches the reflector to the adhesive.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein the reflector is configured to reduce crosstalk between the light source and the light detector.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

an electronic device housing;

a display in the electronic device housing;

a display cover layer that covers the display; and

a proximity sensor mounted under a portion of the display cover layer, wherein the proximity sensor has a light source that emits light, a light detector, a lens, and a reflector that bridges the lens, wherein a first portion of the light passes through the lens and travels along an axis perpendicular to the display cover layer, wherein a second portion of the light reflects off of the reflector and travels away from the axis at a non-zero angle, and wherein the first and second portions of the light are received at the light detector through the display cover layer.

11. The electronic device defined in claim 10, wherein the reflector is configured to reduce crosstalk between the light source and the light detector.

12. The electronic device defined in claim 10 further comprising:

a metal band that at least partially surrounds the proximity sensor.

13. The electronic device defined in claim 12 further comprising a plastic proximity sensor bracket to which the metal proximity sensor bracket is attached, wherein the plastic proximity sensor bracket at least partially surrounds the proximity sensor.

14. The electronic device defined in claim 13 wherein the reflector comprises a strip of metal formed from the metal band and that extends substantially parallel to a plane defined by the display cover structure.

15. The electronic device defined in claim 13 wherein the reflector comprises a prism formed from the plastic proximity bracket and that extends substantially parallel to a plane defined by the display cover structure.

16. The electronic device defined in claim 10, wherein the first and second portions of the light exit the electronic device through the display cover layer.

17. The electronic device defined in claim 16, wherein the first and second portions of the light exit the electronic device onto an object external to the electronic device that reflects the first and second portions of the light to the light detector through the display cover layer.

18. A proximity sensor, comprising:

a light source;

a light detector;

a lens through which light from the light source travels along an axis;

a housing in which the light source, light detector, and lens are mounted, wherein the housing has an opening that overlaps the lens; and

a reflector that extends over the opening, wherein a first portion of the light exits the proximity sensor housing through the opening along the axis and wherein a second portion of the light is reflected by the reflector and exits the proximity sensor housing at an angle to the axis.

19. The proximity sensor defined in claim 18, wherein the housing has a rectangular perimeter defined by peripheral side surfaces that surround the light source, the light detector, and the lens, the proximity sensor further comprising:

a plastic member that at least partially surrounds first and second opposing peripheral side surfaces of the housing and a third peripheral side surface of the housing; and

a metal member that at least partially surrounds the first and second peripheral side surfaces of the housing and a fourth peripheral side surface of the housing.

20. The proximity sensor defined in claim 19 wherein the housing comprises an upper surface in which the opening is formed and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and wherein the peripheral side surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the opposing upper and lower surfaces.