Compact opto-electronic sensor modules for detecting gestures or other movements by a user
AssigneeHeptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.
InventorPhilippe Bouchilloux
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Compact opto-electronic sensor modules are described that allow detection of an object's motion occurring in spatial regions (e.g., quadrants) that are located primarily directly about the surface of a device in which the module is located. For example, light (e.g., infra-red) from a light emitting element in the module can illuminate substantially all, or at least a significant percentage of, areas in a plane directly above the surface of the device. Each of multiple light detecting elements in the module can be arranged to receive light from a respective detection zone directly above the surface of the device.
Claims24
A hand-held device comprising an outer surface and at least one opto-electronic module operable to emit and receive light through a window in the outer surface, wherein each opto-electronic module comprises:
- a light emitting element mounted on a first area of a support;
- an integrated circuit chip mounted on a second area of the support and including a plurality of light detecting elements, the integrated circuit chip including circuitry to process signals from the light detecting elements,
- wherein the light detecting elements and the light emitting element are disposed in respective optical channels of the module,
- the module further including:
- a first passive optical element in an optical emission channel associated with the light emitting element and arranged such that light from the light emitting element that passes through the first passive optical element and through the window in the outer surface of the hand-held device has a central axis of emission forming an angle of less than ninety degrees with the outer surface of the hand-held device and spreads so that the light subsequently reaches at least part of a specified plane directly above the outer surface of the hand-held device;
- and
- second passive optical elements each of which is in a respective optical detection channel associated with a respective one of the light detecting elements and is arranged to receive light from a different one of a plurality of light detection zones that encompass areas illuminated by the first passive optical element, and wherein each of the second passive optical elements is arranged to direct the received light to an associated one of the light detecting elements in the respective optical detection channel for that passive optical element.
A method of operating an opto-electronic module in a hand-held device, the method comprising:
- emitting light from a light emitting element in the module through a first passive optical element in the module such that after passing through the first passive optical element and through an outer surface of the hand-held device, the light has a central axis of emission forming an angle of less than ninety degrees with an outer surface of the hand-held device;
- receiving reflected light by an object moving above the outer surface of the hand-held device, wherein parts of the reflected light are received by respective ones of a plurality of second passive optical elements each of which is arranged to receive reflected light from a different one of a plurality of light detection zones directly above the outer surface of the hand-held device;
- and
- directing the received light from the second passive optical elements to light detecting elements in the module, wherein each light detecting element is associated with a respective one of the second passive optical elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.