Abstract: An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter an infrared light detector, a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter and a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector. Located in-between the light emitter and the first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component, and the light detector and the second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component is a gap. Layers of infrared opaque, attenuating or blocking material are disposed on at least some of the external surfaces forming the gap to substantially attenuate or block the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimize optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor and housing for the same are disclosed. The housing is provided with at least two support structures and at least two modules. A first of the support structures transfers vertical forces applied to one end of a module to an opposite end of the opposite module. A second of the support structures inhibits a pivoting of the modules about the first support structure.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter an infrared light detector, a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter and a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector. Located in-between the light emitter and the first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component, and the light detector and the second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component is a substantially optically non-transmissive infrared light barrier component. The infrared light barrier component substantially attenuates or blocks the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimizes optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides a proximity sensor including a transmitter die, a receiver die, an ASIC die, a lead frame, wire bonds, a first transparent encapsulant, a second transparent encapsulant, and an opaque encapsulant. The transmitter die, the receiver die and the ASIC die are attached to portions of the lead frame. Wire bonds electrically connect the transmitter die, the receiver die, the ASIC die, and the lead frame. The first transparent encapsulant covers the receiver die, the ASIC die, the wire bonds, and a portion of the lead frame. The second transparent encapsulant covers the transmitter die, the wire bonds, and a portion of the lead frame. The opaque encapsulant covers portions of the first and second encapsulants and a portion of the lead frame.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor and housing for the same are disclosed. The housing is provided with at least two support structures and at least two modules. A first of the support structures transfers vertical forces applied to one end of a module to an opposite end of the opposite module. A second of the support structures inhibits a pivoting of the modules about the first support structure.

Abstract: Printable media sensing devices, systems and methods are disclosed herein. An array of light emitters projects light through a printable media sheet for detection by a corresponding array of light sensors. A processor is operably connected to the array of light emitters and light sensors, and is configured to activate the light emitters, and receive output signals from the light sensors, and permit the accurate detection and determination of the locations of top of form (TOF) and bottom of form (BOF) for a given printable media sheet, as well as multiple widths corresponding to such sheet. According to some embodiments, the locations of labels on a sheet may also be detected with heightened accuracy, as may regions having no labels disposed thereover.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention provides a proximity sensor including a transmitter die, a receiver die, an ASIC die, a lead frame, wire bonds, a first transparent encapsulant, a second transparent encapsulant, and an opaque encapsulant. The transmitter die, the receiver die and the ASIC die are attached to portions of the lead frame. Wire bonds electrically connect the transmitter die, the receiver die, the ASIC die, and the lead frame. The first transparent encapsulant covers the receiver die, the ASIC die, the wire bonds, and a portion of the lead frame. The second transparent encapsulant covers the transmitter die, the wire bonds, and a portion of the lead frame. The opaque encapsulant covers portions of the first and second encapsulants and a portion of the lead frame.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter an infrared light detector, a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter and a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector. Located in-between the light emitter and the first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component, and the light detector and the second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component is a gap. Layers of infrared opaque, attenuating or blocking material are disposed on at least some of the external surfaces forming the gap to substantially attenuate or block the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimize optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor is provided that comprises an infrared light emitter an infrared light detector, a first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light emitter and a second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component disposed over and covering the light detector. Located in-between the light emitter and the first molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component, and the light detector and the second molded optically transmissive infrared light pass component is a substantially optically non-transmissive infrared light barrier component. The infrared light barrier component substantially attenuates or blocks the transmission of undesired direct, scattered or reflected light between the light emitter and the light detector, and thereby minimizes optical crosstalk and interference between the light emitter and the light detector.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the transmitters and detectors for an integrated optical touch panel (OTP) are mounted at right angles to the surface of the OTP. The transmitters and detectors are contained on a substrate which is an extension of the substrate containing the touch panel display itself. The sides of the substrate containing the transmitters and detectors are folded upward so that the transmitters and detectors are positioned above the plane of the substrate containing the display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, each of a plurality of optical angle detectors has a plurality of light sensing elements and is positioned at a different location adjacent an optical input area. Each of a plurality of light-control devices is positioned between the optical input area and one of the optical angle detectors, to cause particular rays of light to be mapped to particular light sensing elements of a respective one of the optical angle detectors. The optical angle detectors are positioned to cause each coordinate in the optical input area to be within a field of view of at least two of the optical angle detectors. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for operating a plurality of optical sensors, each of the optical sensors is sequentially coupled to a shared input of a receiver. When electrically coupling a given one of the optical sensors to the shared input, at least one other of the optical sensors is shunted to ground. Apparatus that may be used to implement the method is provided with a plurality of optical sensors, and a receiver having a shared input. Each of a first plurality of switches couples one of the optical sensors to the shared input of the receiver. Each of a second plurality of switches shunts one of the optical sensors to ground.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the transmitters and detectors for an integrated optical touch panel (OTP) are mounted at right angles to the surface of the OTP. The transmitters and detectors are contained on a substrate which is an extension of the substrate containing the touch panel display itself. The sides of the substrate containing the transmitters and detectors are folded upward so that the transmitters and detectors are positioned above the plane of the substrate containing the display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch detection system and method is achieved having high resolution by forming an integrated array of alternating emitters and detectors. Using integration techniques, the detectors can be made much larger than the emitters while the gaps between the emitters and detectors are maintained relatively small. Thus, high resolution is achieved without dramatically increasing the number of emitter/detector pairs. In one embodiment each array is positioned on an edge of a display such that the emitter of one array is lined up (on axis with) a detector of an opposing display. In one embodiment, the touch detection system and method operates to detect the amplitude of signals arriving from opposing arrays so as to precisely determine the location of a touched position. Off-axis scanning can be employed to increase sensitivity.

Abstract: A touch input system includes a light-emitting device, a bent light guide and a light detector. The light-emitting device emits light. The bent light guide receives the light emitted by the light-emitting device and guides the light to travel in a direction across a face of a display screen. The light detector detects the light.