Sensor and method for operating a sensor

Abstract

An all-optical sensor (100) for detecting gesture inputs and force inputs is specified, the sensor comprising at least two emitter-detector pairs, the at least two emitter-detector pairs comprising a first emitter-detector pair and a second emitter-detector pair, each emitter-detector pair of the sensor comprising emitters (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17, 17). The invention relates to a detector (10), comprising a detector (12, 16) and a detector (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and a partially reflective and partially light transmissive reflector (30). Furthermore, a method for operating the sensor is specified.

Description

[0001] A sensor and a method for operating the sensor are specified. Preferably, the sensor is a fully optical sensor for detecting gesture input and force input, and the method for operating the sensor is a method for operating the sensor for detecting gesture input and force input.

[0002] This patent application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2023 106 482.7, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] In the prior art, gestures above a surface and forces applied to the surface are typically measured using different sensors, resulting in a combination of multiple optical / non-optical sensors. For example, prior art document US2020 / 0 100 013A1 discloses headphones with capacitive force input, and prior art documents US10,215,857B2 and US11,402,202B2 disclose optical proximity sensors.

[0004] At least one objective of a particular embodiment is to provide a sensor. Another objective of a particular embodiment is to provide a method for operating the sensor.

[0005] These objectives are achieved by the subject matter and methods according to the independent claims. Advantageous implementations and developments of the subject matter and methods are characterized in the dependent claims and are also disclosed in the following description and drawings.

[0006] According to at least one embodiment, the sensor includes a first transmitter-detector pair and a second transmitter-detector pair. Each of the transmitter-detector pairs includes a transmitter configured to emit sensor light and a detector configured to detect the sensor light and generate an intensity signal. Furthermore, the sensor includes a reflector.

[0007] According to at least one other embodiment, a sensor is used in a method for operating a sensor.

[0008] The embodiments and features described herein and below also relate to sensors and methods for operating sensors.

[0009] Preferably, the sensor is an all-optical sensor. This can in particular mean that the sensor does not contain non-optical sensor devices (such as capacitive and piezoelectric sensors). Particularly preferably, the sensor is configured to detect gesture input and force input, and the method for operating the sensor is a method for operating the sensor for detecting gesture input and force input.

[0010] Here and below, "gesture input" can be input caused by an object (e.g., a user's hand or finger) present in the sensor's illumination field. This means that sensor light emitted by the sensor can illuminate the object, be reflected by the object, and be detected by the sensor. For example, the object can appear and then disappear on the sensor and / or can move relative to the sensor, especially in the illumination field, causing the reflection of sensor light caused by the object to change over time, which can induce a changing detection signal in the sensor. Furthermore, "force input" can be understood as input caused by an object that applies a force to a reflector, causing the reflector to bend and / or move, thus changing the reflective characteristics (e.g., reflection direction) of the reflector. The sensor's detection signal can, in particular, be an intensity signal generated by one or more, or preferably all, detectors of the sensor.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the sensor includes at least two transmitter-detector pairs, comprising a first transmitter-detector pair and a second transmitter-detector pair. The transmitter in each transmitter-detector pair is configured to emit sensor light parallel to, or at least substantially parallel to, a main emission direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The detector in each transmitter-detector pair is configured to detect sensor light emitted by the transmitter of the same transmitter-detector pair. The sensor light emitted by the transmitters of the transmitter-detector pairs may be the same or may be different.

[0012] Each of a transmitter-detector pair is defined by a transmitter and a detector. The transmitter and detector of each transmitter-detector pair form a logical unit. A transmitter-detector pair may share the same transmitter or the same detector. In other words, a transmitter may be part of two transmitter-detector pairs, or a detector may be part of two transmitter-detector pairs. Particularly preferably, the sensor may include a single transmitter as the sole transmitter of the sensor and at least two detectors, such that all transmitter-detector pairs share the same transmitter, or the sensor may include a single detector as the sole detector of the sensor and at least two transmitters, such that all transmitter-detector pairs share the same detector.

[0013] For example, a sensor may include at least one transmitter and at least one first detector and one second detector, wherein the at least one transmitter and the first detector form a first transmitter-detector pair, and the at least one transmitter and the second detector form a second transmitter-detector pair. In other words, the first transmitter-detector pair and the second transmitter-detector pair may share the same transmitter. At least one transmitter may be configured to continuously emit sensor light or may emit light pulses during operation of the sensor.

[0014] Alternatively, the sensor may include a first transmitter and a second transmitter, and at least one detector, wherein the first transmitter and at least one detector form a first transmitter-detector pair, and the second transmitter and at least one detector form a second transmitter-detector pair. In other words, the first transmitter-detector pair and the second transmitter-detector pair may share the same detector. The first transmitter and the second transmitter may be configured to emit light pulses or frequency-modulated light with different frequencies. Preferably, each of the first transmitter and the second transmitter may be configured to emit light pulses of the same sensor light, i.e., sensor light with the same wavelength, and the first transmitter may emit light pulses at a different time than the second transmitter.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the transmitter and detector of each transmitter-detector pair need not form an integrated device. Instead, the transmitter and detector of the transmitter-detector pair can be separate components mounted on a common carrier of the sensor. Furthermore, for example, all detectors of the sensor can be part of a single integrated component, such as formed by multiple detectors mounted on a common substrate or by pixelated detectors, wherein the integrated component can in turn be mounted on a carrier, on which at least one transmitter is also mounted. All transmitters of the sensor can also form a single integrated component, such as formed by multiple transmitters mounted on a common substrate or by pixelated transmitters, wherein the integrated component can in turn be mounted on a carrier, on which at least one detector is also mounted.

[0016] As described above, the vertical direction, preferably or at least substantially corresponding to the emission direction of at least one transmitter, is preferably perpendicular to the mounting surface on which the transmitter-detector pair is arranged. The lateral direction is preferably perpendicular to the vertical direction. Therefore, the transmitter and detector of each of the transmitter-detector pairs are arranged along the lateral direction, such that the transmitter and detector of each of the transmitter-detector pairs have a distance from each other measured along that lateral direction. Hereinafter, the distance between the transmitter and detector of each of the transmitter-detector pairs is also referred to as a baseline. Thus, the first transmitter-detector pair of the sensor has a first baseline, and the second transmitter-detector pair of the sensor has a second baseline, wherein the baseline of each of the transmitter-detector pairs is defined by the lateral distance between the transmitter of the transmitter-detector pair and the detector of the same transmitter-detector pair. Preferably, the first baseline is different from the second baseline.

[0017] In another embodiment, the reflector partially reflects and partially transmits sensor light emitted by all the transmitters of the sensor. In other words, the reflector partially reflects and partially transmits sensor light emitted by each of the transmitters of the sensor.

[0018] According to another embodiment, a reflector is arranged vertically above all transmitter-detector pairs of the sensor. The reflector includes a surface facing the transmitter-detector pair from which sensor light emitted by the transmitter can be reflected to the detector. Specifically, in the sensor's idle state, the reflector is arranged to be measured at a certain distance from the transmitter-detector pair in the vertical direction. The sensor's idle state can preferably be a state in which the sensor, particularly the reflector, is unaffected by external objects. Specifically, in the idle state, the reflector is not touched or pressed by external objects such as a user's hand or fingers. Therefore, in the sensor's idle state, the reflector has a first height in the vertical direction. For example, the height of the reflector can be measured vertically from a mounting surface on which the transmitter-detector pairs are mounted, or from the emitting surface of the transmitter of each of the transmitter-detector pairs and / or from the detection surface of the detector, or from the upper surface of the casting encapsulating the transmitter-detector pairs (i.e., the surface facing the reflector).

[0019] During transmitter-detector pair operation in the sensor's idle state, for the first transmitter-detector pair, a first portion of the sensor light emitted by the transmitter of the first transmitter-detector pair is reflected by a reflector onto the detector of the first transmitter-detector pair, and the detector of the first transmitter-detector pair generates a first intensity signal; and for the second transmitter-detector pair, a second portion of the sensor light emitted by the transmitter of the second transmitter-detector pair is reflected by a reflector onto the detector of the second transmitter-detector pair, and the detector of the second transmitter-detector pair generates a second intensity signal.

[0020] Therefore, in the method for operating the sensor, a first transmitter-detector pair and a second transmitter-detector pair operate simultaneously or sequentially, such that the first transmitter-detector pair generates a first intensity signal with a first signal strength, and the second transmitter-detector pair generates a second intensity signal with a second signal strength. The first intensity signal is observed to obtain a change in the first signal strength S1, and the second intensity signal is observed to obtain a change in the second signal strength S2. Observing the change in signal strength can specifically mean observing a change in signal strength over time. Furthermore, the difference signal between the first intensity signal and the second intensity signal is calculated, and the difference signal is observed to obtain a change in the difference signal strength.

[0021] When a force is applied, this can mean that an object presses against the reflector, causing the height of at least a portion of the reflector to decrease from a first height to a second height less than the first height. The first portion of the first sensor light and the second portion of the second sensor light change due to the altered geometry between the reflector and the emitter and detector of the emitter-detector pair. Preferably, the first height of the reflector, the first baseline of the first emitter-detector pair, and the second baseline of the second emitter-detector pair are selected such that when the entire reflector or at least a portion of the reflector moves from the first height to a second height less than the first height, the first portion of the sensor light increases and the second portion of the sensor light decreases.

[0022] According to another embodiment, a first baseline determines a first characteristic proximity curve defining the correlation between a first intensity signal and the reflector height, and a second baseline determines a second characteristic proximity curve defining the correlation between a second intensity signal and the reflector height. To achieve the aforementioned variation in the intensity of the first and second intensity signals, the first characteristic proximity curve has a maximum value at a height less than the first height and preferably less than the second height, and the second characteristic proximity curve has a maximum value at a height greater than the first height.

[0023] Therefore, compared to the idle state, when the reflector or at least a portion of the reflector is at the second height, more sensor light illuminates the detector of the first transmitter-detector pair, while less sensor light illuminates the detector of the second transmitter-detector pair. Consequently, when the reflector or at least a portion of the reflector is at the second height, the first signal strength of the first intensity signal of the first transmitter-detector pair increases, and the second signal strength of the second intensity signal of the second transmitter-detector pair decreases. Therefore, in the difference signal between the first and second intensity signals, the changes in the first and second signal strengths are added together without canceling each other out, such that the change in the difference signal strength is greater than the changes in the first and second intensity signal strengths. Therefore, by comparing the difference signal with the first and second intensity signals, the force input on the reflector causing the height change of at least a portion of the reflector can be identified.

[0024] When a gesture input occurs, this means that, from the perspective of the transmitter-detector pair, an object is present above or on the reflector, but not pressed against it and therefore does not lower the height of the reflector or at least a portion thereof. At least a portion of the sensor light transmitted through the reflector can be reflected back to the reflector by the object and onto the detector of the transmitter-detector pair. Therefore, compared to the state where no object is present, more sensor light illuminates the detector of the first transmitter-detector pair, and more sensor light illuminates the detector of the second transmitter-detector pair. Consequently, in the difference signal between the first and second intensity signals, the changes in the first and second signal intensities at least partially cancel each other out, such that the magnitude of the change in the difference signal intensity is smaller than the magnitude of the changes in the first and second intensity signals.

[0025] According to another embodiment, at least one emitter, or more than one emitter, or all emitters (which may be one or more emitters) of the sensor are vertically emitting laser diodes. Furthermore, at least one emitter, or more than one emitter, or all emitters (which may be one or more emitters) of the sensor are light-emitting diodes. The sensor light emitted by one or more emitters or all emitters of the sensor may have spectral components in the infrared, visible, and / or ultraviolet wavelength ranges. In particular, the sensor light may be infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light. Furthermore, at least one detector, or more than one detector, or all detectors (which may be one or more detectors) of the sensor are photodiodes. Preferably, all emitters and all detectors of the sensor are arranged such that no emitter can directly illuminate any detector with sensor light.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the reflector includes a plate-like component or is formed as a plate. For example, the reflector may be a cover lid disposed above the emitter-detector pair, such that at least a portion of the reflector can change its height. Particularly preferably, the reflector can be bent and / or moved by a user, particularly toward the emitter-detector pair, such that a force input can cause a change in the height of at least a portion of the reflector. Preferably, the reflector may comprise or be made of plastic, such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

[0027] According to another embodiment, the reflector has a reflectivity of greater than or equal to 75% and less than or equal to 99% for sensor light emitted by at least one, and preferably all, transmitters (which may be one or more transmitters). Furthermore, the reflector has a transmittance of greater than or equal to 1% and less than or equal to 25% for sensor light.

[0028] Although the above description primarily concerns two transmitter-detector pairs, namely the first transmitter-detector pair and the second transmitter-detector pair, sensors can have more than two transmitter-detector pairs, such as three, four, five, six, or ten transmitter-detector pairs. It can also be advantageous when the sensor comprises a first group of at least two first transmitter-detector pairs, wherein all first transmitter-detector pairs in the first group have the same first baseline, and a second group of at least two second transmitter-detector pairs, wherein all second transmitter-detector pairs in the second group have the same second baseline. Particularly preferably, all transmitter-detector pairs in a group have the same or at least substantially the same characteristic proximity curve. More than one transmitter-detector pair having the same baseline and, in particular, the same characteristic proximity curve can result in a degree of redundancy and / or an increase in signal-to-noise ratio. In particular, all transmitter-detector pairs can share the same transmitter, or all transmitter-detector pairs can share the same detector. The aforementioned effects on force and gesture input can be improved by using more than two transmitter-detector pairs in the sensor.

[0029] Specifically, according to several preferred embodiments, the sensor and method may include one or more of the following features, for example. The sensor preferably has at least one transmitter emitting sensor light of a specific wavelength and more than one detector at several locations with different predetermined transmitter-detector baselines. A reflector may be placed above the transmitter, wherein the reflector has a predetermined non-zero transmittance at the specified sensor light wavelength. The sensor is optimized such that, in idle reflector locations, at least one transmitter-detector pair is located to the left of the characteristic proximity curve and at least one transmitter-detector pair is located to the right of the characteristic proximity curve. In another advantageous configuration, at least two transmitters emitting the same sensor light may be used with a single detector. The transmitters may emit light pulses detected by the detector one after another in a certain time sequence, making it possible to identify different transmitter signals. Different predetermined characteristic proximity curves, as described above, can be achieved using different transmitter-detector baselines.

[0030] A reflector is part of a sensor and can form the interface surface with the user. The sensor can distinguish between displacement and / or deformation of the reflector due to force input and one or more objects above the reflector, which can be gesture input. By applying a force to the reflector surface, displacement and / or deformation of the reflector toward the transmitter-detector pair will cause an increase in signal strength of the detectors in the transmitter-detector pair closer to the right of the peak and a decrease in signal strength of the detectors in the transmitter-detector pair closer to the left of the peak. An object above the reflector can cause an increase in strength for all transmitter-detector pairs. By triangulating the detected signals, two different measurements can be extracted: reflector displacement and / or deformation and the position of the object above the reflector. The force applied to the surface can be calculated from the reflector displacement / deformation signal.

[0031] Compared to the sensor described herein, most existing force sensors are implemented using capacitive or piezoelectric sensors. These sensors typically have relatively low accuracy and / or depend on external parameters such as temperature and humidity. The sensor described herein can replace combinations of several sensors with different operating principles and can increase at least the accuracy and robustness of force measurements.

[0032] The sensor described in this paper offers the following advantages: it can detect both force input on a reflector and gesture input above a surface using only a single, fully optical sensor. Both gesture and force inputs can be evaluated in a single measurement. A very small form factor is possible, allowing the sensor to be integrated into applications such as earbuds. It can be demonstrated that the sensor described in this paper can have significantly lower power consumption compared to capacitive sensor solutions. The sensor described in this paper can be used as a standalone sensor or a supporting sensor in a sensor group to obtain more accurate and robust measurement results.

[0033] Further features, advantages, and applicability will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a sensor according to an embodiment is shown.

[0035] Figure 1B A schematic diagram of a sensor according to another embodiment is shown.

[0036] Figures 2A to 2F A schematic diagram of a sensor according to another embodiment is shown, under conditions of the absence of various inputs and the presence of various inputs.

[0037] Figure 3A and Figure 3B A schematic diagram is shown of a measurement performed in a method for operating a sensor according to several embodiments.

[0038] Figures 4A to 7D A schematic diagram of a sensor according to another embodiment is shown.

[0039] In the embodiments and drawings, identical, similar, or functionally equivalent elements have the same reference numerals in each case. The elements shown and their size ratios relative to each other should not be considered to be scaled, but rather individual elements (such as, for example, layers, components, devices, and areas) may be made larger to better illustrate them and / or aid in understanding.

[0040] Figure 1A An embodiment of a sensor 100 including a transmitter 11, a first detector 21, and a second detector 22 is shown. The transmitter 11 and the first detector 21 form a first transmitter-detector pair, and the transmitter 11 and the second detector 22 form a second transmitter-detector pair. During operation of the sensor 100, the transmitter 11 is operated to emit light having a predetermined wavelength. The light emitted by the sensor 100 will be referred to hereinafter as sensor light, and... Figure 1A The reference numeral 80 is indicated by an arrow. Each of the detectors 21 and 22 is configured to detect the sensor light 80 and output a signal that depends on the intensity of the sensor light incident on the detector. Therefore, the sensor 100 includes two transmitter-detector pairs, wherein in the illustrated embodiment, each of the transmitter-detector pairs includes the same transmitter 11 and detectors 21 and 22, the transmitter 11 being configured to emit the sensor light 80, and the detectors 21 and 22 being configured to detect the sensor light 80 and generate an intensity signal. Specifically, the sensor 100 is an all-optical sensor that does not contain non-optical sensor devices such as capacitive and piezoelectric sensors.

[0041] Emitter 11 emits sensor light 80 along a main emission direction, hereinafter referred to as the vertical direction 91. The direction perpendicular to the vertical direction 91 is referred to as the transverse direction 92. The sensor light 80 emitted by emitter 11 may have spectral components in the infrared, visible, and / or ultraviolet wavelength ranges. In particular, the sensor light 80 may be infrared light, visible light, or ultraviolet light.

[0042] For example, emitter 11 can be a vertically emitting laser diode, such as a VCSEL (vertical cavity surface-emitting laser). In this case, light emission is primarily in the vertical direction 91. Alternatively, emitter 11 can be, for example, a light-emitting diode. In this case, emitter 11 can have a wider angular emission distribution and can emit sensor light 80, for example, with Lambertian emission characteristics. The emission characteristics of emitter 11 can be adjusted by using one or more lenses or other optical elements (not shown). Each of detectors 21, 22 can be a photodiode. For example, each detector 21, 22 can be a discrete photodiode, or... Figure 1A As shown, it can be part of an integrated detector chip 20 formed by pixelated photodiodes having several detection areas forming detectors 21, 22 that can operate independently of each other. Preferably, the emitter 11 and detectors 21, 22 of the sensor 100 are arranged such that the emitter 11 cannot directly illuminate any of the detectors 21, 22 with sensor light.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, transmitter 11 and detectors 21, 22 are mounted and electrically connected to a carrier 41, which may be, for example, a printed circuit board, a ceramic carrier, or a package housing. Furthermore, as... Figure 1A As shown, transmitter 11 and detectors 21, 22 can be encapsulated in a casting material 42, such as a transparent plastic material (e.g., silicone). Therefore, transmitter 11, detectors 21, 22, carrier 41, and casting material 42 can be part of a compact transmitter-detector module 40 that is part of sensor 100.

[0044] The vertical direction 91 is preferably perpendicular to the mounting surface of the carrier 41, on which the transmitter-detector pair is arranged. The lateral direction 92 is preferably perpendicular to the mounting surface. Therefore, the transmitter 11 and detectors 21, 22 of each transmitter-detector pair are arranged along the lateral direction 92 and have a distance measured along this lateral direction. The distance between the transmitter and detector of each transmitter-detector pair is also represented as baselines b1, b2. Thus, the first transmitter-detector pair of sensor 100 has a first baseline b1, and the second transmitter-detector pair of sensor 100 has a second baseline b2, wherein the baselines b1, b2 of each transmitter-detector pair are defined by the distance in the lateral direction 92 between the transmitter 11 of the transmitter-detector pair and the detectors 21, 22 of the same transmitter-detector pair. Figure 1A As shown, the first baseline b1 is different from the second baseline b2. Baselines b1 and b2 can preferably be greater than or equal to 100 μm and less than or equal to 1 cm.

[0045] In addition to the transmitter-detector module 40, the sensor 100 also includes a reflector 30. Preferably, the reflector 30 is partially reflective and partially transmittive of the sensor light 80 emitted by all the transmitters of the sensor 100. In other words, the reflector 30 partially reflects and partially transmits the sensor light 80 emitted by each of the transmitters of the sensor 100.

[0046] Reflector 30 is arranged above transmitter-detector module 40 along vertical direction 91, and thus above all transmitter-detector pairs of sensor 100. Specifically, in the idle state of sensor 100, i.e., when the sensor is not affected by external objects, reflector 30 is arranged at a predetermined distance relative to the transmitter-detector pair, measured along vertical direction 91, also referred to hereinafter as height d. Specifically, in the idle state, reflector 30 is not touched or pressed by external objects (such as a user's hand or finger), such that reflector 30 has a first height d1 along vertical direction 91 in the idle state of sensor 100. For example, the height d of reflector 30 can be measured along vertical direction 91 from a mounting surface on which the transmitter-detector pairs are mounted, or from the emitting surface of transmitter 11 and / or the detection surface of detectors 21, 22 of each of the transmitter-detector pairs, or as... Figure 1A As shown, the height d is measured from the upper side of the casting material 42 facing the reflector 30. Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the height d is the distance between the transmitter-detector module 40 and the reflector 30. The first height d1 can preferably be greater than or equal to 100 μm and less than or equal to 1 cm.

[0047] The reflector 30 can be mounted, for example, by means of a suitable support structure such as a frame (not shown) onto the same carrier 41 as the transmitter 11 and detectors 21, 22. Alternatively, the encapsulation shown, including the transmitter 11, detectors 21, 22, carrier 41, casting material 42, and reflector, can be arranged on a common housing (not shown). The arrangement and mounting of the reflector 30 are not limited, as long as the reflector 30 or at least a portion thereof can be moved or at least deformed toward the transmitter-detector pair. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, a gap is formed between the upper side of the casting material 42 and the lower side of the reflector 30 facing the transmitter 11 and detectors 21, 22, wherein the gap has a width corresponding to a first height d1 of the sensor 100 in its idle state. Particularly preferably, the reflector 30 can be bent and / or moved by the user, particularly toward the transmitter-detector pair, such that the height d of the reflector 30 or at least a portion thereof decreases, such that a force input can cause a change in the height d of at least a portion thereof.

[0048] Reflector 30 includes a plate-like component, or as Figure 1A As shown, reflector 30 is formed as a plate. Preferably, reflector 30 may comprise or be made of plastic, such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The material and thickness of reflector 30 are chosen such that reflector 30 is partially reflective and partially transparent to sensor light 80. For example, reflector 30 may have a thickness greater than or equal to 200 μm and less than or equal to 2 mm. Preferably, reflector 30 is white. Particularly preferably, reflector 30 has a reflectivity greater than or equal to 75% and less than or equal to 99% for sensor light 80 emitted by at least one or more emitters of sensor 100, preferably all emitters (which may be one or more emitters). Furthermore, reflector 30 has a transmittance greater than or equal to 1% and less than or equal to 25% for sensor light 80. Reflector 30 may be diffuse or specular.

[0049] like Figure 1B As shown in another embodiment, sensor 100 may include more than one transmitter 11, 12 and detector 21, such that each transmitter-detector pair is formed by transmitter 11 from more than one transmitter 11, 12 and the same detector 21, such that all transmitter-detector pairs can share the same detector 21. Similarly, in this case, sensor 100 includes a first transmitter-detector pair having a first baseline b1 and a second transmitter-detector pair having a second baseline b2, preferably different from the first baseline b1. Figure 1B As shown, in this configuration, the first transmitter 11 and the second transmitter 12 can emit light pulses. Preferably, each of the first transmitter 11 and the second transmitter 12 is configured to emit light pulses of the same sensor light 80, and the first transmitter 11 emits light pulses at different times than the second transmitter 12, so that the detector 21 can distinguish between light pulses from the first transmitter 11 and light pulses from the second transmitter 12.

[0050] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, during the operation of the transmitter-detector pair in the idle state of sensor 100, for the first transmitter-detector pair, a first portion 81 of the sensor light 80 emitted by the transmitter of the first transmitter-detector pair is reflected by the reflector 30 onto the detector of the first transmitter-detector pair, causing the detector of the first transmitter-detector pair to generate a first intensity signal. Similarly, for the second transmitter-detector pair, a second portion 82 of the sensor light 80 emitted by the transmitter of the second transmitter-detector pair is reflected by the reflector 30 onto the detector of the second transmitter-detector pair, causing the detector of the second transmitter-detector pair to generate a second intensity signal. Additionally, a portion of the sensor light 80, represented as transmitted light 83, is transmitted through the reflector 30.

[0051] Sensor 100 is configured to detect gesture input and force input. In other words, sensor 100 is used to operate the sensor in a manner suitable for detecting, such as, combined with... Figures 2A to 3B The described gesture input and force input.

[0052] As an example only, in Figures 2A to 2F In the middle, it was indicated Figure 1A The sensor 100 of the embodiment shown. Alternatively, the sensor can be as follows: Figure 1B The configuration shown makes the following description similarly applicable. Figure 1B The implementation method.

[0053] exist Figure 2A In the figure, sensor 100 is shown in an idle state. For clarity, not all elements of sensor 100 are indicated by reference numerals, such that... Figures 2A to 2F The description also refers to Figure 1A . Figure 2B The correlation between the signal strength of the intensity signal S measured by detectors 21 and 22 and the height d is shown.

[0054] like Figure 2B As shown, in the idle state, the first detector 21 generates a first intensity signal with a first signal strength S1, and the second detector 22 generates a second intensity signal with a second signal strength S2, depending on the portion of the sensor light reflected onto the respective detectors 21 and 22. The intensity signal S depends on the height d of the reflector 30. Figure 2B The changes shown. In particular, such as in combination. Figure 1A and Figure 1B As described, a first height d1 and a first baseline b1 and a second baseline b2 are selected such that the first baseline b1 determines a first feature proximity curve PC1, which defines the correlation between the first intensity signal and the height d of the reflector 30, and the second baseline b2 determines a second feature proximity curve PC2, which defines the correlation between the second intensity signal and the height d of the reflector 30, as follows. Figure 2BAs shown. Each of the feature proximity curves PC1 and PC2 has a maximum value at a certain height d of the reflector 30, which depends on the corresponding baselines b1 and b2. For example, a first baseline b1 is chosen such that, in the idle state, the maximum value of the first feature proximity curve PC1 is at a height lower than a first height d1, and preferably lower than a second height d2, while a second baseline b2 is chosen such that, in the idle state, the maximum value of the second feature proximity curve PC2 is at a height greater than a first height d2. Therefore, when the height d of the reflector 30 or at least a portion of the reflector 30 decreases, the first portion 81 of the sensor light 80 reflected on the first detector 21 of the first emitter-detector pair increases, while the second portion 82 of the sensor light 80 reflected on the second detector 22 of the second emitter-detector pair decreases.

[0055] When a force is input, this means, as Figure 2C As shown, when an object, such as a user's finger, presses on reflector 30, causing the height d of at least a portion of reflector 30 to decrease from a first height d1 to a second height d2 less than the first height d1, the first portion 81 and the second portion 82 of sensor light 80 change due to the change in the geometric relationship between reflector 30, emitter 11 of the emitter-detector pair, and detectors 21, 22. As previously described, the first height d1 of the reflector, the first baseline b1 of the first emitter-detector pair, and the second baseline b2 of the second emitter-detector pair are selected such that when the entire reflector 30 or at least a portion of reflector 30 moves from the first height d1 to the second height d2 less than the first height d1, the first portion 81 of sensor light 80 increases and the second portion 82 of sensor light 80 decreases. In other words, when reflector 30 or at least a portion of reflector 30 is at the second height d1, compared to the idle state, more sensor light 80 is reflected onto detector 21 of the first emitter-detector pair, and less sensor light 80 is reflected onto detector 22 of the second emitter-detector pair. Therefore, as Figure 2D As shown, when the reflector 30 or at least a portion of the reflector 30 is at the second height d1, compared with the first signal strength S1 and the second signal strength S2 generated in the idle state, the first signal strength S1' of the first intensity signal of the first transmitter-detector pair output by the first detector 21 increases, and the second signal strength S2' of the second intensity signal of the second transmitter-detector pair output by the second detector 22 decreases.

[0056] When gesture input occurs, this means, as Figure 2EAs shown, from the perspective of the transmitter-detector pair, an object such as a user's finger or hand is present above or on the reflector, but not pressing on the reflector 30 and therefore does not reduce the height d1 of the reflector 30 or at least a portion thereof. At least a portion of the transmission portion 83 of the sensor light 80 transmitted through the reflector can be reflected back to the reflector by the object and reflected onto the detectors 21, 22 of the transmitter-detector pair. Therefore, compared to the idle state of the sensor 100 when the object is absent, more sensor light 80 illuminates the detector 21 of the first transmitter-detector pair, and more sensor light 80 illuminates the detector 22 of the second transmitter-detector pair. Therefore, as Figure 2F As shown, the feature approach curves PC1 and PC2 are shifted to a higher intensity. Therefore, the first detector 21 outputs a first signal intensity S1” of a first intensity signal, and the second detector 22 outputs a second signal intensity S2” of a second intensity signal, wherein both the first signal intensity S1” and the second signal intensity S2” are increased compared to the signal intensities S1 and S2 in the idle state.

[0057] In a method for operating a sensor, a first transmitter-detector pair and a second transmitter-detector pair operate simultaneously or sequentially, such that the first transmitter-detector pair generates a first intensity signal with a first signal strength, and the second transmitter-detector pair generates a second intensity signal with a second signal strength. Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, a first intensity signal is observed to obtain a change in the first signal intensity S1, and a second intensity signal is observed to obtain a change in the second signal intensity S2. Observing the change in the signal intensity of the intensity signals can specifically mean observing the change in signal intensity with time t. Furthermore, the difference signal between the first intensity signal and the second intensity signal is calculated, and the difference signal is observed to obtain a change in the difference signal intensity S1 to S2.

[0058] Figure 3A Measurements of gesture input occurring at three different times are shown. As described above, the signal strength S1 of the first intensity signal and the signal strength S2 of the second intensity signal both increase due to the gesture input, thus causing peaks in signal strengths S1 and S2. However, in the difference signal between the first intensity signal and the second intensity signal, the changes in the first signal strength S1 and the second signal strength S2 at least partially cancel each other out, such that the amplitude of the change in the difference signal strength S1 to S2 is smaller than the amplitude of the change in the first signal strength S1 and the second signal strength S2.

[0059] Figure 3BA similar measurement is shown for a first gesture input followed by a force input. As described above, the force input causes the first signal intensity S1 to increase and the second signal intensity S2 to decrease. Therefore, in the difference signal between the first and second intensity signals, the changes in the first and second signal intensities S1 and S2 caused by the force input are added together without canceling each other out, making the change in the difference signal intensities S1 to S2 greater than the change in the first and second signal intensities S1 and S2. However, the change caused by the gesture input is almost undetectable in the difference signal intensities S1 to S2 (as in combination with...). Figure 3A (As described). Therefore, the force input on the reflector that causes the height change of the reflector can be identified in the difference signal.

[0060] Therefore, both force input and gesture input can be detected, where gesture input can be distinguished from force input. Thus, the sensor 100 described herein uses an optimized detector-transmitter geometry and can perform triangulation on the received signal to detect both force input and gesture input.

[0061] With reference to Figure 1 to Figure 3B Compared to the described implementation, sensor 100 may include a transmitter combined with more than two detectors or a detector combined with more than two transmitters.

[0062] For example, such as Figure 4A As shown, the sensor may include a transmitter 11 and four detectors 21, 22, 23, 24 arranged in a straight line along the lateral direction, wherein each of the transmitter 11 and detectors 21, 22, 23, 24 forms a separate transmitter-detector pair with baselines b1, b2, b3, b4, distinct from all other transmitter-detector pairs. Figure 4B As shown, the sensor may also include four transmitters 11, 12, 13, 14 and detector 21 arranged in a straight line along the lateral direction, wherein each of the transmitters 11, 12, 13, 14 and detector 21 forms a separate transmitter-detector pair with baselines b1, b2, b3, b4, which is different from all other transmitter-detector pairs. Figure 4A and Figure 4B Each of the transmitter-detector pairs in the illustrated embodiment has its own specific characteristic proximity curve, allowing more information to be gathered for the triangulation method described above based on the parameters of the force input and gesture input, which can lead to a more accurate measurement and interpretation of the input.

[0063] like Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs shown, multiple detectors 21, 22, 23, 24 or multiple transmitters 11, 12, 13, 14 can be arranged along a non-linear path, provided that the baselines b1, b2, b3, b4 indicated by the dashed circles for the transmitter-detector pairs are different. Furthermore, as shown by the dashed boxes, more detectors 21', 22', 23', 24' or transmitters 11', 12', 13', 14' can be used, resulting in groups of transmitter-detector pairs with the same baselines b1, b2, b3, b4. Figure 5A and Figure 5B In the illustrated implementation, using additional detectors 21', 22', 23', 24' or transmitters 11', 12', 13', 14', indicated by the dashed boxes, will result in four sets of two transmitter-detector pairs, each with the same baseline and therefore the same or nearly identical characteristic proximity curves. For example, this can lead to a higher degree of redundancy and / or a better signal-to-noise ratio.

[0064] Combination Figure 6A and Figure 6B This illustrates another implementation of the sensor, wherein twelve detectors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 21', 22', 23', 24', 25', 26' ( Figure 6A Or, twelve transmitters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 11', 12', 13', 14', 15', 16' ( Figure 6B The sensors can be arranged in a matrix array symmetrical to the transmitters or detectors. For example, six pairs of two transmitters-detectors can be included, each with the same baseline. Figure 6C and Figure 6D It shows when VCSEL( Figure 6C ) or LED ( Figure 6D When used as transmitter 11, Figure 6A The resulting features of the embodiment shown in the figure are close to the curve.

[0065] Figures 7A to 7D Various views of the transmitter-detector module 40 of the sensor are shown, which is similar to... Figure 1A The embodiments shown are, but with respect to, the implementations described. Figure 6AThe embodiment includes a transmitter 11 and twelve detectors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 21', 22', 23', 24', 25', and 26'. Detectors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 21', 22', 23', 24', 25', and 26' are part of an integrated detector chip 20 having various detection segments forming detectors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 21', 22', 23', 24', 25', and 26'. Furthermore, detector chip 20 can provide integrated logic for controlling transmitter chip 11, measuring the intensity signals of detectors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 21', 22', 23', 24', 25', and 26', and calculating various difference signals based on the various intensity signals. An ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection chip 50 may also be present. The transmitter-detector module 40 can be mounted on an external carrier and made electrically contact via contacts 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, and 69 on the underside of the carrier 41.

[0066] As alternatives to or supplements to the features described in relation to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments shown in the drawings may also include additional features described in the general portion of the specification. Furthermore, the features and embodiments in the drawings may be combined with each other, even if such combinations are not explicitly described.

[0067] This invention is not limited to the description based on exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention includes any new features and any combination of features, particularly any combination of features in the patent claims, even if the feature or combination itself is not expressly specified in the patent claims or exemplary embodiments.

[0068] Figure Labels

[0069] 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 transmitters

[0070] 11', 12', 13', 14', 15', 16' Transmitters

[0071] 20 Integrated Detector Chips

[0072] Detectors 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

[0073] 21',22',23',24',25',26' Detectors

[0074] 30 reflectors

[0075] 40 transmitter-detector modules

[0076] 41 carriers

[0077] 42 Casting Materials

[0078] 50ESD protection chip

[0079] Contacts 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69

[0080] 80 sensor light

[0081] 81 Part 1

[0082] 82 Part Two

[0083] 83 Transmission Section

[0084] 91 Vertical direction

[0085] 92 Horizontal direction

[0086] 100 sensors

[0087] Baselines b1, b2, b3, b4

[0088] Heights d, d1, d2

[0089] PC1, PC2 approach curves

[0090] S-intensity signal

[0091] S1,S2,S1',S2',S1”,S2” signal strength

Claims

1. A fully optical sensor (100) for detecting gesture input and force input, the sensor comprising: - At least two transmitter-detector pairs, including a first transmitter-detector pair and a second transmitter-detector pair, each transmitter-detector pair of the sensor including a transmitter (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) and a detector (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26), and -Reflector (30), in, -The transmitter of each transmitter-detector pair is configured to emit sensor light (80) that is at least substantially parallel to the main emission direction in the vertical direction (91). - The detector in each transmitter-detector pair is configured to detect the sensor light emitted by the transmitter of the same transmitter-detector pair. The reflector partially reflects and partially transmits the sensor light emitted by all the transmitters of the sensor. The first transmitter-detector pair has a first baseline (b1), and the second transmitter-detector pair has a second baseline (b2). - The baseline of each of the transmitter-detector pairs is defined by the distance in the lateral direction (92) between the transmitter and the detector of the transmitter-detector pair. The reflector is arranged above all emitter-detector pairs of the sensor along the vertical direction and has a first height (d1) along the vertical direction when the sensor is idle, such that for the first emitter-detector pair, a first portion (81) of the sensor light emitted by the emitter of the first emitter-detector pair is reflected by the reflector onto the detector of the first emitter-detector pair, and the detector of the first emitter-detector pair generates a first intensity signal, and such that for the second emitter-detector pair, a second portion (82) of the sensor light emitted by the emitter of the second emitter-detector pair is reflected by the reflector onto the detector of the second emitter-detector pair, and the detector of the second emitter-detector pair generates a second intensity signal. - Select the first height, the first baseline, and the second baseline such that when at least a portion of the reflector moves from the first height to a second height (d2) less than the first height, the first portion of the sensor light increases and the second portion of the sensor light decreases.

2. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The sensor includes at least one transmitter (11) and at least one first detector (21) and one second detector (22), wherein the at least one transmitter forms a first transmitter-detector pair with the first detector, and the at least one transmitter forms a second transmitter-detector pair with the second detector.

3. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one transmitter is configured to continuously emit the sensor light.

4. The sensor according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one transmitter is configured to emit light pulses.

5. The sensor according to claim 1, wherein, The sensor includes a first transmitter (11) and a second transmitter (12) and at least one detector (21), wherein the first transmitter and the at least one detector form a first transmitter-detector pair, and the second transmitter and the at least one detector form a second transmitter-detector pair.

6. The sensor according to claim 5, wherein, The first transmitter and the second transmitter are configured to emit light pulses.

7. The sensor according to claim 6, wherein, - Each of the first transmitter and the second transmitter is configured to emit light pulses of the same sensor light, and - The first transmitter and the second transmitter emit the light pulses at different times.

8. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, - The first baseline defines a first feature proximity curve (PC1), which defines the dependence of the first intensity signal on the height of the reflector. - The second baseline defines a second feature proximity curve (PC2), which defines the dependence of the second intensity signal on the height of the reflector. - The first feature approximation curve has a maximum value at a height less than the second height, and - The second feature approximation curve has a maximum value at a height greater than the first height.

9. The sensor according to claim 8, wherein, The first baseline is different from the second baseline.

10. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, All transmitters and detectors of the sensor are arranged such that no transmitter can directly illuminate any detector with sensor light.

11. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The reflector includes a plate-like portion or is formed as a plate.

12. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The reflector has a reflectivity of greater than or equal to 75% and less than or equal to 99% for the sensor light.

13. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The reflector has a transmittance of greater than or equal to 1% and less than or equal to 25% for the sensor light.

14. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The reflector can be moved and / or bent by the user toward the transmitter-detector pair.

15. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one transmitter of the sensor is a vertically emitting laser diode.

16. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one emitter of the sensor is a light-emitting diode (LED).

17. The sensor according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one detector of the sensor is a photodiode.

18. A method for operating a sensor (100) for detecting gesture input and force input according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in, The first transmitter-detector pair and the second transmitter-detector pair operate simultaneously or sequentially, such that the first transmitter-detector pair generates a first strength signal with a first signal strength (S1), and the second transmitter-detector pair generates a second strength signal with a second signal strength (S2). Specifically, each of the first intensity signals is observed to obtain the change in the first signal intensity, and each of the second intensity signals is observed to obtain the change in the second signal intensity. Specifically, the difference between the first intensity signal and the second intensity signal is calculated, and the difference signal is observed to obtain the change in the intensity of the difference signal.

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