IP Library Granted Patent US 11,678,043
Granted Patent B2
US 11,678,043 · App. 17/446,895 · Granted Jun 13, 2023

Sensor module with a collar

Inventors: Russell Gruhlke (San Jose, CA); Jon Lasiter (Stockton, CA); Ravindra Vaman Shenoy (Dublin, CA); Ravishankar Sivalingam (San Jose, CA); Kebin Li (Fremont, CA); Khurshid Syed Alam (Mountain View, CA)
Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
H04N23/57H04N23/60G03H2227/02H04M1/0202
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,678,043
App. No.
17/446,895
Granted
Jun 13, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a sensor module. In some aspects, a sensor module may include a collar configured to be attached to a camera module for a user device. The collar may include a first opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera of the camera module, and a second opening. The sensor module may include a sensor embedded in the collar. The sensor may be aligned with the second opening of the collar. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims (49)

1. A sensor module comprising:

a collar configured to be attached to a camera module for a user device,

wherein the collar includes:

a first opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera of the camera module, and

a second opening;

a sensor attachment module in the collar;

a sensor within the sensor attachment module,

wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axis associated with the sensor module; and

a reflective device configured to redirect a field of view of the sensor through the aperture.

2. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the axis is a center axis of the second opening.

3. The sensor module of claim 1 , further comprising:

an optic device configured to define the field of view of the sensor.

4. The sensor module of claim 3 , wherein the optic device is one of a lens or a prism.

5. The sensor module of claim 3 , wherein the optic device is within the sensor attachment module.

6. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a sensor array.

7. The sensor module of claim 1 , further comprising:

a light emitter that is configured to transmit light that is redirected towards the sensor.

8. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein a height of the collar is substantially equal to a height of a lens unit of the camera.

9. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor requires less than 10 milliwatts (mW) of power to operate.

10. The sensor module of claim 1 , wherein the sensor enables an always-on detection capability without a user interacting with the user device.

11. A system for a user device, the system comprising:

a camera,

wherein the camera comprises:

an aperture, and

a lens unit that includes a lens;

a structure configured to support the camera;

a collar configured to be attached to the structure;

a sensor attachment module;

a sensor, within the sensor attachment module, that is capable of performing always-on detection when an environment is dark,

wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axis of an opening of the collar; and

a reflective device that redirects light towards the sensor.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor requires less power than the camera.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor and the camera use power from a battery of the user device.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor enables an always-on detection capability without a user interacting with the user device.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the sensor is an infrared sensor.

16. A user device, comprising:

a collar,

wherein the collar includes:

a first opening that is configured to align with an aperture of a camera, and

a second opening;

a sensor,

wherein the sensor is in an offset position relative to an axis of symmetry associated with the collar; and

a reflective device, in the collar, configured to redirect a field of view of the sensor through the aperture.

17. The user device of claim 16 , further comprising:

an optic device configured to define the field of view of the sensor.

18. The user device of claim 16 , further comprising:

a light emitter that is configured to emit light that is redirected towards the sensor.

19. The user device of claim 16 , wherein a height of the collar is substantially equal to a height of a lens unit of the camera.

20. The user device of claim 16 , wherein the sensor is capable of performing always-on detection when an environment is dark.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 3, 2021
From: GRUHLKE, RUSSELL; LASITER, JON; SHENOY, RAVINDRA VAMAN; SIVALINGAM, RAVISHANKAR; LI, KEBIN; ALAM, KHURSHID SYED
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 057384/0216 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16521222 · Jul 24, 2019
Provisional Application 62826667 · Mar 29, 2019
Related Publication 20210400178A1 · Dec 23, 2021