Proximity sensor device with internal channeling section
AssigneeAvago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
InventorsJohn Lim Ngee Loong, Kai Koon Lee, Wee Sin Tan
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Abstract
A proximity sensor device, which may detect the presence of external objects at close proximity is disclosed. The proximity sensor device may comprise an emitter, a detector, a separation wall and an internal channeling section. In one embodiment, the internal channeling section may be configured to direct light from the emitter to the detector when the external object is present at close proximity. In other embodiments, a proximity sensor assembly, an optical structure and an electronic device having similar internal channeling section are disclosed.
Claims20
A proximity sensor device for detecting presence of an external object, the proximity sensor device comprising:
- an emitter configured to emit a radiation;
- a detector configured to detect the radiation emitted from the emitter, and reflected from the external object;
- and
- a body, the body comprising:
- a top end;
- a bottom end;
- and
- a separation wall located between the emitter and the detector configured to block the radiation emitted from the emitter from being received directly by the detector;
- wherein the body has a first height dimension extending from the bottom end to the top end;
- wherein the body has a second height dimension in parallel to the first height dimension extending along the separation wall;
- wherein the second height dimension is shorter than the first height dimension of the proximity sensor device to define an internal channeling section;
- and
- wherein the internal channeling section is located adjacent to the separation wall at the top end and configured to transmit the reflected radiation towards the detector when the external object is in close proximity.
A proximity sensor assembly for detecting presence of an external object over an external surface, comprising:
- a substrate having a substantially horizontal plane;
- an optical structure disposed on the substrate;
- a top end of the optical structure coupled with the external surface;
- a first vertical height dimension of the optical structure extending from the substrate to the top end of the optical structure;
- first and second apertures extending through the optical structure;
- an emitter disposed within the first aperture for emitting a radiation;
- a detector disposed within the second aperture for sensing the radiation emitted by the emitter, and reflected by the external object;
- wherein a portion of the optical structure proximate the first and second apertures has a second vertical height dimension shorter than the first vertical height dimension and defining therein an internal channeling section between the optical structure and the external surface;
- wherein the internal channeling section is configured to transmit the radiation from the first aperture to the second apertures when the external object is in close proximity.
An electronic device having a functionality for detecting presence of an external object, the electronic device comprising:
- a substrate;
- an emitter disposed on the substrate for emitting light;
- a detector disposed on the substrate for receiving light when the light is reflected from the external object;
- a casing;
- an optical structure extending between the substrate and the casing;
- a separation wall defined by the optical structure to optically isolate the detector from the emitter such that light from the emitter is blocked from reaching the detector directly;
- a top portion of the separation wall being distanced away from the casing;
- and
- an internal channeling section located between the separation wall and the casing for directing reflected light to the detector when the external object is in close proximity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.