Proximity sensor module with light reflector

• US 9,263,618 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• 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 D
• Application Number:
  US13/785,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20140252213A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/231.1, 250/239, 250/549, 345173-178, 340/545.3, 340555-557
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 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.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the reflector comprises a sawtooth structure that includes a plurality of prisms.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a clear plastic proximity sensor bracket, wherein the reflector comprises at least one prism formed from the clear plastic proximity sensor bracket.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 further comprising:

proximity sensor housing structures, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode that emits the light, wherein the proximity sensor housing structures include an opening through which the light passes, and wherein the proximity sensor housing structures include a portion that bridges the lens and the opening and that forms the reflector.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the strip of metal bridges the lens.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 further comprising a proximity sensor housing body for the proximity sensor in which the light source and the light detector are mounted, the apparatus further comprising a metal bracket mounted to the proximity sensor housing body, wherein the strip of metal forms part of the metal bracket.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 6 further comprising:

a display cover layer having an inner surface, wherein the axis is perpendicular to the inner surface and wherein the non-zero angle is a non-zero angle of 50°

to 70°

.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

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.

9. The electronic device defined in claim 8 wherein the non-zero angle is a non-zero angle of 50°

to 70° and

wherein the reflector comprises a material selected from the group consisting of;

plastic, glass, and metal.

10. The electronic device defined in claim 8 wherein the reflector comprises at least one prism.

11. The electronic device defined in claim 8 wherein the reflector comprises clear plastic and has a surface from which light rays reflect by total internal reflection.

12. The electronic device defined in claim 8 wherein the reflector comprises a sawtooth-shaped strip of prisms.

13. The electronic device defined in claim 8 wherein the reflector comprises a strip of metal.

14. A proximity sensor, comprising:

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.

15. The proximity sensor defined in claim 14 further comprising a metal bracket that is attached to the plastic housing, wherein the reflector comprises a portion of the metal bracket.

16. The proximity sensor defined in claim 14 wherein the plastic housing includes a clear plastic housing structure and wherein the sawtooth structure comprises a portion of the clear plastic housing structure.