Communication device sensor assembly
View Patent ↗A proximity sensor assembly including a light source, a first detector, and a first light focusing device. The light source is operative to emit light toward a first target area. The first detector is operative to detect light, including light emitted by the light source and reflected from the first target area. The first light focusing device is in a first optical path between the light source and the first detector. The first optical path includes an optical path from the light source and reflected from the first target area.
1. A proximity sensor assembly comprising:
a light source operative to emit light toward a first target area;
a first proximity detector operative to detect light, including light emitted by the light source and reflected from the first target area; and
a first light focusing device in a first optical path between the light source and the first proximity detector, the first optical path including an optical path from the light source and reflected from the first target area;
the first light focusing device being within a scanning scope of the light source, such that the optical path between the light source and the first light focusing device is unimpeded, and a field of view of the first proximity detector.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first light focusing device is a microprism array.
3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the microprism array is substantially in the first optical path between the light source and the first target area.
4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the microprism array is substantially in the first optical path between the first target area and the first proximity detector.
5. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first light focusing device is a diverging microprism array located substantially in the first optical path between the light source the first target area.
6. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first light focusing device is a converging microprism array located substantially in the first optical path between the target area and the first proximity detector.
7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first light focusing device is a microlens array.
8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the microlens array is substantially in the first optical path between the light source and the first target area.
9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the microlens array is substantially in the first optical path between the first target area and the first detector.
10. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second light focusing device substantially in the first optical path between the light source and the first proximity detector.
11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein:
the first light focusing device is a diverging lens substantially in the first optical path between the light source the first target area; and
the second light focusing device is a converging lens substantially in the first optical path between the first target area and the first detector.
12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein:
the first light focusing device is a microprism array substantially in the first optical path between the light source the first target area; and
the second light focusing device is a microprism array substantially in the first optical path between the first target area and the first proximity detector.
13. An electronic device comprising:
a body defining an aperture;
a light source:
the light source positioned interior to the body, and
the light source operative to emit light toward a target area exterior to the body;
a proximity detector:
the proximity detector positioned interior to the body, and
the proximity detector operative to detect light, including light from the light source reflected from the target area;
a cover:
the cover positioned in the aperture, and
the cover positioned substantially in an optical path:
between the light source and the target area, and
between the target area and the proximity detector;
a light focusing device substantially in the optical path between the light source and the proximity detector, the optical path including the path of light from the light source reflected from the target area, and being within a scanning scope of the light source, such that the optical path between the light source and the first light focusing device is unimpeded, and a field of view of the first proximity detector.
14. The electronic device of claim 13 wherein the light focusing device is a diverging microprism array located substantially in the optical path between the light source and the target area.
15. The electronic device of claim 14 wherein the diverging lens is a plano-convex lens formed in the cover, comprising the convex surface on the interior surface of the cover.
16. The electronic device of claim 14 wherein the microprism array is formed on an interior surface of the cover.
17. The electronic device of claim 13 wherein the light focusing device is a converging microprism array located substantially in the optical path between the target area and the proximity detector.
18. The electronic device of claim 17 wherein the microprism array is formed on an interior surface of the cover.