# US 11,115,576 B2 · Sensor module with a collar configured to be attached to a camera module for a user device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,115,576 B2 - Document ID: US11115576B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/521,222 - Filed: 2019-07-24 - Published: 2020-10-01 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2019-03-29 - Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Inventors: Russell Gruhlke; Jon Lasiter; Ravindra Vaman Shenoy; Ravishankar Sivalingam; Kebin Li; Khurshid Syed Alam - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11115576B2 ## CPC - G03B 17/56: Accessories (carrying-cases A45C11/38) - H04N 23/57: Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices - G03B 17/565: {Optical accessories, e.g. converters for close-up photography, tele-convertors, wide-angle convertors} - 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)} - G06F 3/0346: with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a three-dimensional [3D] space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors - H04B 10/1141: {One-way transmission} - H04M 1/0264: {for a camera module assembly} - H04N 23/60: Control of cameras or camera modules - H04N 23/62: Control of parameters via user interfaces - H04N 23/651: {for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera} - H04N 23/698: for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture - H04N 23/90: Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums - G03H 2227/02: Handheld portable device, e.g. holographic camera, mobile holographic display - H04M 1/0202: {Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets (constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03)} - H04M 1/026: {Details of the structure or mounting of specific components} - H04M 2250/12: including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion - H04N 23/45: for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - G03H: HOLOGRAPHIC PROCESSES OR APPARATUS (holograms, e.g. point holograms, used as ordinary optical elements G02B5/32; producing stereoscopic or other three-dimensional effects G02B30/00; diffraction-grating systems G02B27/44; systems using moiré fringes G02B27/60; optical logic elements G02F3/00; stereo-photography G03B35/00; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; {stereo-photographic or similar processes G03C9/00}; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D; analogue computers performing mathematical operations with the aid of optical elements G06E3/00; authentication by radiation, of concealed information carried by holograms or diffraction gratings G06K19/16; holographic storage G11B7/0065, G11C13/04; {stereoscopic or other three dimensional effects in television systems H04N13/00}) ## Abstract Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a sensor module. In some aspects, a sensor module may include a collar configured to be attached to a camera module for a user device. The collar may include a first opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera of the camera module, and a second opening. The sensor module may include a sensor embedded in the collar. The sensor may be aligned with the second opening of the collar. Numerous other aspects are provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor module comprising: a collar configured to be attached to a camera module for a user device, wherein the collar includes: a first opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera of the camera module, and a second opening; a sensor attachment module in the collar; a sensor within the sensor attachment module, wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axis associated with the sensor module; and a reflective device that redirects light towards the sensor, wherein the light enters the second opening in a direction that is parallel relative to the axis associated with the sensor module and is redirected in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis associated with the sensor module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a low-power sensor that facilitates an always-on detection capability. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the first opening is configured to receive a lens unit of the camera. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the camera comprises a high-resolution camera and the sensor comprises a low-resolution camera. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, further comprising a light emitter configured to emit the light into a field of view of the sensor, wherein the light enables the sensor to detect a user, a character, or an object. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, further comprising a light emitter configured to emit other light, wherein the other light facilitates transmission of a communication signal associated with the user device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor attachment module is embedded in the collar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor attachment module includes the reflective device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein a display-side surface of the collar, when the sensor module is installed within the user device, is configured to be coplanar or beneath a plane of a display surface of the user device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein, when the sensor module is installed within the user device, the sensor is beneath at least one of: a diffractive element of a display surface of the user device, or a refractive element of a display surface of the user device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor is one of a plurality of sensors in the collar and the second opening is one of a plurality of sensor openings of the collar. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sensor module of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to enable a user, a character, or an object to be detected within a hemispherical field of view relative to a display of the user device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor is further configured to capture an optical communication signal that is to be received by the user device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor is designed to use less power than the camera. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The sensor module of claim 1, wherein the sensor consumes less than ten milliwatts (mW) of power. ### Claim 16 A system for a user device, the system comprising: a camera, wherein the camera comprises: an aperture, and a lens unit that includes a lens; a structure configured to support the camera; a collar configured to be attached to the structure; a sensor attachment module; a sensor, within the sensor attachment module, with an always-on detection capability, wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axis of an opening of the collar, and a reflective device that redirects light towards the sensor, wherein the light enters a second opening in a direction that is parallel relative to the axis of the opening of the collar and is redirected in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis o the opening of the collar. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The camera module system of claim 16, wherein the sensor is one of a plurality of sensors embedded in the collar and the opening is one of a plurality of openings of the collar; and wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to enable a user, a character, or an object to be detected within a hemispherical field of view relative to a display of the user device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor comprises a low-power sensor that facilitates the always-on detection capability. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the camera comprises a high-resolution camera and the sensor comprises a low-resolution camera. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein the sensor consumes less than ten milliwatts (mW) of power. ### Claim 21 A communication module of a user device, the communication module comprising: a collar configured to be attached to a camera module of the user device, wherein the collar includes: a first opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera of the camera module, and a second opening; a sensor attachment module in the collar; a sensor in the sensor attachment module, wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axis of symmetry associated with the collar; and a reflective device, in the collar, that redirects light towards the sensor, wherein the light enters the second opening in a direction that is parallel relative to the axis of symmetry and is redirected in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The communication module of claim 21, wherein the sensor comprises a low-power sensor that facilitates an always-on detection capability. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The communication module of claim 21, wherein the camera comprises a high-resolution camera and the sensor comprises a low-resolution camera. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The communication module of claim 21, wherein the sensor is one of a plurality of sensors embedded in the collar, and the second opening is one of a plurality of sensor openings of the plurality of openings, and wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to enable optical communication within a hemispherical field of view relative to a display-side of the user device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The communication module of claim 21, wherein the sensor consumes less than ten milliwatts (mW) of power. ### Claim 26 A user device comprising: a camera module that includes a camera, wherein the camera comprises: an aperture, and a lens unit that includes a lens; and a sensor module comprising: a collar configured to be attached to the camera module, wherein the collar includes: a first opening that is configured to align with the aperture of the camera, and a second opening; a sensor attachment module; a sensor with an always-on detection capability, wherein the sensor in the sensor attachment module, wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axis associated with the sensor module; and a reflective device that redirects light towards the sensor, and wherein the light enters the second opening in a direction that is parallel relative to the axis associated with the sensor module and is redirected in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis associated with the sensor module. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The user device of claim 26, further comprising: a communication module comprising: a light emitter embedded in the collar, wherein the light emitter is aligned with the second opening, and wherein the light emitter is configured to transmit light that includes a communication signal associated with the user device, wherein the communication module utilizes the sensor to capture an optical communication signal that is to be received by the user device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The user device of claim 26, wherein the sensor comprises a low-power sensor that facilitates the always-on detection capability. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The user device of claim 26, wherein the camera comprises a high-resolution camera and the sensor comprises a low-resolution camera. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The user device of claim 26, wherein the sensor is designed to use less power than the camera. ### Claim 31 (depends on 26) The user device of claim 26, wherein the sensor consumes less than ten milliwatts (mW) of power.