Testing an infrared proximity sensor
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorChing Yu John Tam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for testing an IR proximity sensor has an infrared reflector that receives radiation transmitted from the proximity sensor under test. An electronically modulated IR-transmissive device is positioned between the sensor and the reflector. A tester is coupled to control the IR-transmissive device for testing the sensor. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
Claims20
A system for testing an infrared (IR) proximity sensor, comprising:
- an infrared reflector to receive radiation transmitted from the proximity sensor;
- an electronically modulated IR-transmissive (EMIRT) device to be positioned between the sensor and the reflector;
- and
- a tester coupled to control the EMIRT device for testing the sensor.
A system for testing a proximity sensor, comprising:
- a support for a device under test (DUT), the DUT having a proximity sensor to transmit infrared (IR) radiation;
- an IR reflector positioned relative to the support to reflect the IR radiation;
- an electronically modulated IR-transmissive (EMIRT) device positioned between the support and the reflector to pass the IR radiation;
- and
- a tester computer coupled to control the EMIRT device to achieve variable attenuation of the IR radiation that is passing through the EMIRT device.
A method for testing an infrared proximity sensor, comprising:
- installing a device under test (DUT) into a test fixture, the DUT having an infrared (IR) proximity sensor to transmit IR radiation and detect reflected IR radiation, the test fixture having an IR reflector to produce the reflected IR radiation;
- and
- changing IR absorption characteristics of a device that is positioned in a light path between the DUT and the reflector, while the sensor is operating.
A method for calibrating a proximity sensor test fixture, comprising:
- placing a target object at a plurality of distances from a device under test (DUT) containing a proximity sensor that is operating to detect the object;
- collecting output data of the sensor while it is operating to detect the target object at the plurality of distances;
- installing the DUT into a test fixture, the test fixture having a variable IR absorber positioned between the DUT and an IR reflector;
- applying a plurality of settings to the variable IR absorber while the sensor is operating as installed in the test fixture, until the collected output data is reproduced by the sensor;
- and
- recording the settings that resulted in the collected output data being reproduced.
A proximity sensor test system, comprising:
- means for supporting a device under test (DUT), the DUT having a proximity sensor to transmit infrared (IR) radiation;
- means for reflecting the IR radiation back towards the proximity sensor;
- means for passing the IR radiation with variable attenuation, between the supporting means and the reflecting means;
- and
- means for controlling the radiation passing means to achieve variable attenuation of the IR radiation that is passing through, while recording output of the proximity sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.