Proximity Sensor with Asymmetric Optical Element
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorRichard Ruh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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. Optical structures may be interposed between the proximity sensor and the window in the display cover layer. The optical structures may include a first portion such as a convex lens that is configured to collimate light from the light source so that the light propagates along a surface normal to the display cover layer. The optical structures may also include a second portion such as a prism structure for deflecting uncollimated light away from the propagation axis of the collimated light.
Claims21
Apparatus, comprising:
- a light-based proximity sensor including a light source and a light detector;
- and
- optical structures through which light from the light source passes, wherein the optical structures include light collimating structures and light deflecting structures.
Apparatus, comprising:
- a light source;
- a display cover layer that lies in a plane perpendicular to an axis;
- first optical structures that refract light from the light source along the axis;
- and
- second optical structures that reflect light from the light source away from the axis.
An electronic device, comprising:
- a display layer;
- a proximity sensor having a light source and a light detector;
- a lens structure interposed between the light source and the display layer, wherein the lens structure is configured so that light emitted from the light source passes through the lens structure and the display layer and propagates along an axis;
- and
- a light deflecting structure configured to deflect light from the light source in a direction away from the axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.