WO2014028540A9 - Boîtier de système de caméra à infrarouge à surface métallisée - Google Patents

Boîtier de système de caméra à infrarouge à surface métallisée Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014028540A9
WO2014028540A9 PCT/US2013/054802 US2013054802W WO2014028540A9 WO 2014028540 A9 WO2014028540 A9 WO 2014028540A9 US 2013054802 W US2013054802 W US 2013054802W WO 2014028540 A9 WO2014028540 A9 WO 2014028540A9
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
housing
sensor assembly
cover
metal layer
infrared sensor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2013/054802
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2014028540A1 (fr
Inventor
Theodore R. Hoelter
Joseph Kostrzewa
Pierre Boulanger
Barbara Sharp
Eric A. Kurth
Original Assignee
Flir Systems, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Flir Systems, Inc. filed Critical Flir Systems, Inc.
Priority to CN201390000806.XU priority Critical patent/CN205071130U/zh
Publication of WO2014028540A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014028540A1/fr
Publication of WO2014028540A9 publication Critical patent/WO2014028540A9/fr

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/50Constructional details
    • H04N23/51Housings
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/20Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/57Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices

Definitions

  • Patent Application No. 61/683,124 filed August 14, 2012 and entitled "INFRARED CAMERA SYSTEM HOUSING WITH METALIZED
  • One or more embodiments of the invention relate generally to imaging devices and more particularly, for example, to infrared imaging devices .
  • undesired radiation may reduce thermographic accuracy and may introduce low spatial frequency non-uniformities.
  • radiation received from outside a field of view e.g., outside a target scene desired to be imaged
  • non-uniform heating e.g., by external sources or components of such devices
  • a housing for an infrared camera module may be implemented with a substantially non-metal cover configured to
  • a metal layer may be disposed on various interior and/or exterior surfaces of the cover. Such implementations may be used to reduce the effects of various environmental conditions which may otherwise adversely affect the performance of the infrared imaging device.
  • one or more conductive traces e.g., electrical connections
  • components of the infrared imaging device such as infrared sensors, read out circuitry, a temperature measurement component, and/or other components.
  • One or more fiducial markers may be provided to align various components of the infrared camera module during manufacture.
  • an apparatus in one embodiment, includes a housing adapted to at least substantially enclose an infrared sensor assembly and comprising: a substantially non-metal cover; and a metal layer disposed on a majority of interior and/or exterior surfaces of the cover.
  • a method in another embodiment, includes providing a substantially non-metal cover; metalizing a majority of interior and/or exterior surfaces of the cover to provide a metal layer; wherein the cover and the metal layer comprise a housing; and wherein the housing is adapted to at least substantially enclose an infrared sensor assembly
  • a system includes an infrared camera module comprising: an infrared sensor assembly adapted to capture image frames; and a housing at least substantially enclosing the infrared sensor assembly and comprising: a substantially non-metal cover, and a metal layer disposed on a majority of interior and/or exterior surfaces of the cover.
  • an apparatus in another embodiment, includes a housing comprising: a substantially non-metal cover a metal layer on a majority of interior and/or exterior surfaces of the cover; wherein the housing is adapted to at least substantially enclose an infrared sensor assembly; and wherein the housing is adapted to engage with a socket of a mobile personal electronic device.
  • an apparatus in another embodiment, includes a housing implemented as a molded interconnect device (MID) adapted to at least substantially enclose an infrared sensor assembly, the housing comprising a conductive trace; and a temperature measurement component mounted on an interior surface of the housing, electrically connected to the conductive trace, and adapted to be used to determine a temperature associated with the housing.
  • MID molded interconnect device
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an infrared imaging module configured to be implemented in a host device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 2 illustrates an assembled infrared imaging module in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of an infrared imaging module juxtaposed over a socket in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 4 illustrates an example implementation of an optical element that may be implemented in an infrared imaging module in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 5A-E illustrate cross-sectional views of infrared imaging modules implemented with several form factors in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 5F-P illustrate additional views of infrared imaging modules implemented with several form factors in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 6-8 illustrate infrared imaging modules implemented with several topologies in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 9A-B illustrate an infrared imaging module
  • FIG. 10A illustrates the infrared imaging module of Fig. 9A removed from the socket in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 10B illustrates the infrared imaging module of Fig. 9A with a cover of a housing shown in semi-transparent form to reveal a metal layer of the housing in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Fig. IOC illustrates the infrared imaging module of Fig. 9A with the cover and the metal layer both shown in semi- transparent form to reveal several components enclosed by the housing in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 11A-B illustrate the infrared imaging module of Fig. 9A with the housing removed in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 12A-D illustrate several views of an implementation of the housing of the infrared imaging module of Fig. 9A having an interior metal layer in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 12E illustrates a cross section taken at line 12B- 12E of Fig. 12B in accordance with an embodiment of the di sclosure .
  • Fig. 13 illustrates a housing having interior and exterior metal layers in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure .
  • Figs . 14A-G illustrate several views of a housing having an interior metal layer and external conductive traces in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 14H illustrates a cross section taken at line 14H- 14H of Fig. 14G in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure .
  • Fig. 141 illustrates a cross section taken at line 141- 141 of Fig. 14G in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure
  • Fig. 15 illustrates an alignment technique used to assemble an infrared imaging module in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 16A-C illustrate several views of a housing having fiducial markers in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure .
  • Fig. 17 illustrates a shutter in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 18 illustrates the shutter of Fig. 17 positioned for assembly as part of infrared imaging module in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Figs. 19A-B illustrate various views of an infrared imaging module with the shutter of Fig. 17 installed and shown in semi-transparent form to illustrate contacts of the shutter engaged with pads on an external surface of a housing in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 20 illustrates a process for manufacturing an infrared imaging module in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an infrared imaging module 100 (e.g., an infrared camera or an infrared imaging device) configured to be implemented in a host device 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Infrared imaging module 100 may be implemented, for one or more embodiments, with a small form factor and in accordance with wafer level packaging techniques along with other novel infrared camera packaging techniques as discussed herein.
  • infrared imaging module 100 may be configured to be implemented in a small portable host device 102, such as a mobile telephone, a tablet computing device, a laptop computing device, a personal digital assistant, a visible light camera, a music player, or any other appropriate device.
  • infrared imaging module 100 may be used to provide infrared imaging features to host device 102.
  • infrared imaging module 100 may be configured to capture, process, and/or otherwise manage infrared images and provide such infrared images to host device 102 for use in any desired fashion (e.g., for further processing, to store in memory, to display, to use by various applications running on host device 102, to export to other devices, or other uses) .
  • infrared imaging module 100 may be configured to operate at low voltage levels and over a wide temperature range.
  • infrared imaging module 100 may operate using a power supply of approximately 2.4 volts, 2.5 volts, 2.8 volts, or lower voltages, and operate over a temperature range of
  • infrared imaging module 100 may experience reduced amounts of self heating in comparison with other types of infrared imaging devices. As a result, infrared imaging module 100 may be operated without requiring significant additional measures to compensate for such self heating.
  • host device 102 may include a socket 104, a shutter 105, a processor 195, a memory 196, a display 197, and/or other components 198.
  • Socket 104 may be
  • FIG. 2 illustrates infrared imaging module 100 assembled in socket 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Processor 195 may be implemented as any appropriate processing device (e.g., logic device, microcontroller, processor, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , or other device) that may be used by host device 102 to execute appropriate instructions, such as software instructions provided in memory 196.
  • Display 197 may be used to display captured and/or processed infrared images and/or other images, data, and information.
  • Other components 198 may be used to implement any features of host device 102 as may be desired for various applications (e.g., a visible light camera or other components) .
  • infrared imaging module 100 and socket 104 may be implemented for mass production to
  • the combination of infrared imaging module 100 and socket 104 may exhibit overall dimensions of approximately 8.5 mm by 8.5 mm by 5.9 mm while infrared imaging module 100 is installed in socket 104,
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of infrared imaging module 100 juxtaposed over socket 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • Infrared imaging module 100 may include a lens barrel 110, a housing 120, an infrared sensor assembly 128, a circuit board 170, a base 150, and a
  • Lens barrel 110 may at least partially enclose an optical element 180 which is partially visible in Fig. 3 through an aperture 112 in lens barrel 110.
  • Lens barrel 100 may include a substantially cylindrical extension 114 which may be used to interface lens barrel 100 with an aperture 122 in housing 120.
  • Infrared sensor assembly 128 may be implemented, for example, with a cap 130 (e.g., a lid) mounted on a substrate 140.
  • Infrared sensor assembly 128 may include a plurality of infrared sensors 132 (e.g., infrared detectors) implemented in an array or other fashion on substrate 140 and covered by cap 130 (e.g., shown in Figs. 5A-K, 5M-P, and 8).
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be
  • focal plane array may be implemented, for example, as a vacuum package assembly (e.g., sealed by cap 130 and substrate 140) .
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be implemented as a wafer level package (e.g., infrared sensor assembly 128 may be singulated from a set of vacuum package assemblies provided on a wafer).
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be implemented to operate using a power supply of
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be implemented with infrared sensors 132 and any other components as desired.
  • Infrared sensors 132 may be configured to detect infrared radiation (e.g., infrared energy) from a target scene
  • infrared radiation e.g., infrared energy
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be provided in accordance with wafer level packaging techniques.
  • Infrared sensors 132 may be implemented, for example, as microbolometers or other types of thermal imaging infrared sensors arranged in any desired array pattern to provide a plurality of pixels.
  • infrared sensors 132 may be implemented as vanadium oxide (VOx) detectors with a 17 ⁇ pixel pitch.
  • arrays of VOx vanadium oxide
  • Substrate 140 may include various circuitry including, for example, a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) with dimensions less than approximately 5.5 mm by 5.5 mm in one embodiment.
  • Substrate 140 may also include bond pads 142 that may be used to contact complementary connections positioned on inside surfaces of housing 120 when infrared imaging module 100 is assembled as shown in Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C.
  • the ROIC may be implemented with low-dropout regulators (LDO) to perform voltage regulation to reduce power supply noise introduced to infrared sensor assembly 128 and thus provide an improved power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) .
  • LDO low-dropout regulators
  • Infrared sensor assembly 128 may capture images (e.g., image frames) and provide such images from its OIC at various rates.
  • Processing module 160 may be used to perform
  • processing module ISO may be implemented as an ASIC.
  • ASIC may be configured to perform image processing with high performance and/or high efficiency.
  • processing module 160 may be implemented with a general purpose central processing unit (CPU) which may be configured to execute appropriate software instructions to perform image processing, coordinate and perform image processing with various image processing blocks, coordinate interfacing between processing module 160 and host device 102, and/or other operations.
  • CPU central processing unit
  • processing module 160 may be implemented with a field programmable gate array (FPGA) .
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • Processing module 160 may be implemented with other types of processing and/or logic circuits in other embodiments as would be understood by one skilled in the art.
  • processing module 160 may also be implemented with other components where appropriate, such as, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and/or one or more interfaces (e.g., infrared detector interfaces, inter- integrated circuit (I2C) interfaces, mobile industry processor interfaces (MIPI) , joint test action group (JTAG) interfaces (e.g., IEEE 1149.1 standard test access port and boundary- scan architecture) , and/or other interfaces) .
  • interfaces e.g., infrared detector interfaces, inter- integrated circuit (I2C) interfaces, mobile industry processor interfaces (MIPI) , joint test action group (JTAG) interfaces (e.g., IEEE 1149.1 standard test access port and boundary- scan architecture) , and/or other interfaces.
  • I2C inter- integrated circuit
  • MIPI mobile industry processor interfaces
  • JTAG joint test action group
  • housing 120 When infrared imaging module 100 is assembled, housing 120 may substantially enclose infrared sensor assembly 128, base 150, and processing module 160. Housing 120 may
  • housing 120 may provide electrical connections 126 to connect various components as further described.
  • Electrical connections 126 may be electrically connected with bond pads 142 when infrared imaging module 100 is assembled.
  • electrical connections 126 may be embedded in housing 120, provided on inside surfaces of housing 120, and/or otherwise provided by housing 120. Electrical connections 126 may terminate in connections 124 protruding from the bottom surface of housing 120 as shown in Fig. 3. Connections 124 may connect with circuit board 170 when infrared imaging module 100 is assembled (e.g., housing 120 may rest atop circuit board 170 as shown in Figs. 5A-C and Pigs. 5F-I) .
  • Processing module 160 may be electrically connected with circuit board 170 through appropriate electrical connections.
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be electrically connected with processing module 160 through, for example, conductive electrical paths provided by: bond pads 142, complementary connections on inside surfaces of housing 120, electrical connections 126 of housing 120, connections 124, and circuit board 170.
  • bond pads 142 complementary connections on inside surfaces of housing 120
  • electrical connections 126 of housing 120 connections 124
  • circuit board 170 circuit board 170.
  • such an arrangement may be implemented without requiring wire bonds to be provided between infrared sensor assembly 128 and processing module 160.
  • electrical connections 126 in housing 120 may be made from any desired material (e.g., copper or any other appropriate conductive material) . In one embodiment, electrical connections 126 may aid in dissipating heat from infrared imaging module 100.
  • Substrate 140 of infrared sensor assembly 128 may be mounted on base 150.
  • base 150 e.g., a pedestal
  • MIM metal injection molding
  • base 150 may be made of any desired material, such as for example zinc, aluminum, or magnesium, as desired for a given application and may be formed by any desired applicable process, such as for example aluminum casting, MIM, or zinc rapid casting, as may be desired for particular applications.
  • any desired material such as for example zinc, aluminum, or magnesium, as desired for a given application and may be formed by any desired applicable process, such as for example aluminum casting, MIM, or zinc rapid casting, as may be desired for particular applications.
  • base 150 may be implemented to provide structural support, various circuit paths, thermal heat sink properties, and other features where appropriate.
  • base 150 may be a multi-layer structure implemented at least in part using ceramic material.
  • circuit board 170 may receive housing 120 and thus may physically support the various components of infrared imaging module 100.
  • circuit board 170 may be implemented as a printed circuit board (e.g., an FR4 circuit board or other types of circuit boards), a rigid or flexible interconnect (e.g., tape or other type of interconnects) , a flexible circuit substrate, a flexible plastic substrate, or other appropriate structures.
  • base 150 may be implemented with the various features and attributes described for circuit board 170, and vice versa.
  • Socket 104 may include a cavity 106 configured to receive infrared imaging module 100 (e.g., as shown in the assembled view of Fig. 2) .
  • Infrared imaging module 100 and/or socket 104 may include appropriate tabs, arms, pins, fasteners, or any other appropriate engagement members which may be used to secure infrared imaging module 100 to or within socket 104 using friction, tension, adhesion, and/or any other appropriate manner.
  • socket 104 may include engagement members 107 that may engage surfaces 109 of housing 120 when infrared imaging module 100 is inserted into a cavity 106 of socket 104. Other types of engagement members may be used in other embodiments.
  • Infrared imaging module 100 may be electrically connected with socket 104 through appropriate electrical connections (e.g., contacts, pins, wires, or any other appropriate connections) .
  • socket 104 may include electrical connections 108 which may contact corresponding electrical connections of infrared imaging module 100 (e.g., interconnect pads, contacts, or other electrical connections on side or bottom surfaces of circuit board 170, bond pads 142 or other electrical
  • Electrical connections 108 may be made from any desired material (e.g., copper or any other appropriate conductive material) .
  • electrical connections 108 may be mechanically biased to press against electrical connections of infrared imaging module 100 when infrared imaging module 100 is inserted into cavity 106 of socket 104.
  • electrical connections 108 may at least partially secure infrared imaging module 100 in socket 104, Other types of electrical connections may be used in other embodiments.
  • Socket 104 may be electrically connected with host device 102 through similar types of electrical connections.
  • host device 102 may include electrical connections (e.g., soldered connections, snap-in connections, or other connections) that connect with
  • electrical connections may be made to the sides and/or bottom of socket 104,
  • infrared imaging module 100 may be implemented with flip chip technology which may be used to mount components directly to circuit boards without the additional clearances typically needed for wire bond
  • flip chip connections may be used, as an example, to reduce the overall size of infrared imaging module 100 for use in compact small form factor applications.
  • processing module 160 may be mounted to circuit board 170 using flip chip connections.
  • flip chip connections For example, in Figs. 5A-C, 5F-I, and 5L (further described herein) , infrared imaging module 100 may be implemented with such flip chip configurations.
  • infrared imaging module 100 and/or associated components may be implemented in accordance with various techniques (e.g., wafer level packaging
  • infrared imaging module 100 and/or associated components may be implemented, calibrated, tested, and/or used in accordance with various techniques, such as for example as set forth in U.S. Patent No. 7,470,902 issued December 30, 2008, U.S.
  • Patent No. 6,028,309 issued February 22, 2000
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,812,465 issued November 2, 2004, U.S. Patent No. 7,034,301 issued April 25, 2006
  • U.S. Patent No. 7,679,048 issued March 16, 2010, U.S. Patent No. 7,470,904 issued December 30, 2008
  • U.S. Patent Application No. 12/202,880 filed September 2, 2008
  • Fig. 4 illustrates an example implementation of optical element 180 that may be implemented in infrared imaging module 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • optical element 180 may be implemented as a silicon etched wafer level single element optic in accordance with various dimensions shown in Fig. 4.
  • optical element 180 may be implemented substantially as a cube, but with two slightly convex faces on faces providing apertures.
  • optical element 180 may include a physical aperture 182 and a smaller clear aperture 184.
  • Optical element 180 allows through the desired infrared wavelengths to infrared sensor assembly 128.
  • optical element 180 may be a single etched wafer level optical element made of silicon with the following specifications: image plane of 0.54 mm by 0.54 mm (e.g., when implemented for an infrared sensor assembly 128 having a 32 by 32 array of infrared sensors 132 with 17 ⁇ pixel pitch) ; horizontal field of view (FoV) of approximately 55.7 degrees; F/# approximately equal to 0.91; modulated transfer function (MTF) of approximately 0.46 at 29 cy/mm; an anti-reflective coating with less than approximately two percent loss per surface; and focused at infinity.
  • image plane of 0.54 mm by 0.54 mm (e.g., when implemented for an infrared sensor assembly 128 having a 32 by 32 array of infrared sensors 132 with 17 ⁇ pixel pitch) ; horizontal field of view (FoV) of approximately 55.7 degrees; F/# approximately equal to 0.91; modulated transfer function (MTF) of approximately 0.46 at 29 cy/mm; an anti-reflective coating with
  • optical element 180 may be any optical element. In some embodiments, optical element 180 may be any optical element.
  • optical element 180 may be implemented as part of cap 130, stacked on various components of infrared sensor assembly 128 (e.g., with appropriate spacers provided therebetween) , or otherwise integrated with various components of infrared sensor assembly 128.
  • host device 102 may include shutter 105.
  • shutter 105 may be selectively positioned over socket 104 (e.g., as identified by arrows 103) while infrared imaging module 100 is installed therein.
  • shutter 105 may be used, for example, to protect infrared imaging module 100 when not in use.
  • Shutter 105 may also be used as a temperature reference as part of a calibration process (e.g., a non- uniformity correction (NUC) process or other calibration processes) for infrared imaging module 100 as would be understood by one skilled in the art.
  • shutter 105 may be made from various materials such as, for example, polymers, glass, or other materials.
  • shutter 105 may include one or more coatings to selectively filter
  • shutter 105 electromagnetic radiation and/or adjust various optical properties of shutter 105 (e.g., a uniform blackbody coating or a reflective gold coating) .
  • shutter 105 may be fixed in place to protect infrared imaging module 100 at all times.
  • shutter 105 or a portion of shutter 105 may be made from appropriate materials ⁇ e.g., polymers) that do not
  • a shutter may be implemented as part of infrared imaging module 100 (e.g., within or as part of a lens barrel or other components of infrared imaging module 100) , as would be understood by one skilled in the art.
  • a shutter e.g., shutter 105 or other type of external or internal shutter
  • a NUC process or other type of calibration may be performed using shutterless techniques.
  • FIGS. 5A-E illustrate cross - sectional views of infrared imaging modules 100 implemented with several form factors in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • each of Figs. 5A-E shows a cross - sectional view of an infrared imaging module 100 while installed in a
  • FIGs. 5A-E show a variety of physical implementations of various components identified in Figs. 1-4.
  • Fig. 5A shows a physical
  • infrared imaging module 100 and socket 104 corresponding to the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 2-3, while Figs. 5B-E show other examples of physical
  • electrical connections 126 may be provided in housing 120 as discussed to infrared sensor assembly 128 and circuit board 170.
  • wire bonds 143 and 145 may be used to connect infrared sensor assembly 128 to processing module 160.
  • wire bonds 143 and 145 may pass through base 150.
  • wire bonds 143 and 145 may connect to circuitry in base 150 without passing through base 150.
  • wire bonds 143 and 145 may connect to electrical connections 147 to provide electrical connections between various portions of infrared imaging module 100 to socket 104 and/or host device 102.
  • 5A-E may be implemented as mobile telephone camera sockets available from, for example, Molex ® Incorporated of Lisle, Illinois in accordance with various part numbers identified in Table 1 below. Table 1 further identifies various example aspects of sockets 104 shown in Figs. 5A-E.
  • Figs. 5F-P illustrate additional views of infrared imaging module 100 implemented with several form factors in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 5F illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 similar to Fig. 5A.
  • electrical connections 126 are shown on an inside surface of housing 120.
  • electrical connections 108 are depicted in a contrasting color for further clarity.
  • electrical connections 147 are shown on side surfaces of circuit board 170 which may connect to electrical connections 108.
  • Fig. 5G illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 similar to Fig. 5A with electrical connections 108 depicted in a contrasting color for further clarity on a bottom surface of socket 104 which may be used to interface with appropriate connections of host device 102.
  • Fig. 5H illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 similar to Fig. 5C.
  • electrical connections 126 are shown on an inside surface of housing 120.
  • electrical connections 108 are depicted in a contrasting color for further clarity.
  • Fig. 51 illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 that provides another view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5H .
  • contacts 172 are shown on a bottom surface of circuit board 170 which may contact electrical connections 108 when infrared imaging module 100 is inserted into socket 104. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the various components of infrared imaging module 100 may be electrically connected to host device 102 through contacts 172 and electrical connections 108.
  • Fig. 5J illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 similar to Fig. 5D and with socket 104 similar to that illustrated in Fig. 5E. In Fig. 5J, electrical
  • connections 108 are depicted in a contrasting color for further clarity. Also, electrical connections 147 are shown on side surfaces of circuit board 170 which may connect to electrical connections 108.
  • Fig. 5K illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 that provides another view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5J.
  • electrical connections 147 are further shown on bottom surfaces of circuit board 170 which may connect with appropriate electrical connections 108.
  • Fig. 5L illustrates several embodiments of infrared imaging module 100 in exploded views.
  • electrical connections 126 are shown on an inside surface of housing 120
  • electrical connections 147 are shown on side surfaces of circuit board 170 which may connect to electrical connections 108.
  • electrical connections 126 are shown on an inside surface of housing 120
  • electrical connections 147 are shown on side surfaces of circuit board 170 which may connect to electrical connections 108.
  • connections 108 are depicted in a contrasting color for further clarity inside socket and also on a bottom surface of socket 104 which may be used to interface with infrared imaging module 100 and host device 102.
  • Fig. 5M illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 implemented with various components of infrared sensor assembly 128 (e.g., cap 130 and substrate 140) having a substantially uniform width. in one embodiment, such an implementation may permit the various components of infrared sensor assembly 128 to be singulated together during
  • substrate 140 may be implemented with a split (e.g., multi-layer) implementation with the ROIC provided on one or both layers and connected to other
  • Fig. 5N illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 that provides another view of the
  • Fig. 50 illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 with infrared sensor assembly 128 implemented in a similar fashion as Figs. 5M-N.
  • processing module 160 may be integrated as part of substrate 140.
  • Fig. 5P illustrates an embodiment of infrared imaging module 100 that provides another view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 50.
  • Fig. 5P further illustrates electrical
  • infrared imaging modules 100 are also contemplated.
  • Pigs. 6-8 illustrate infrared imaging modules 100 implemented with several
  • FIG. 6 illustrates infrared imaging module 100 after encapsulation.
  • Fig. 7 illustrates infrared imaging module 100 with processing module 160 mounted on circuit board 170 and external to housing 120 to provide a lower overall profile for imaging module 100.
  • Fig. 8 illustrates infrared imaging module 100 of Fig. 7 with housing 120 shown transparent for purposes of
  • cap 130 an array of infrared sensors 132, and wire bonds 143. As shown in Fig. 8, various combinations of infrared sensors 132, and wire bonds 143. As shown in Fig. 8, various combinations of infrared sensors 132, and wire bonds 143. As shown in Fig. 8, various combinations of infrared sensors 132, and wire bonds 143. As shown in Fig. 8, various combinations of infrared sensors 132, and wire bonds 143. As shown in Fig. 8, various combinations of wire bonds 143.
  • components of infrared sensor assembly 128 may be connected to circuit board 170 through wire bonds 143,
  • housing 120 may be implemented with a
  • substantially non-metal cover configured to substantially or completely enclose various components of infrared imaging module 100.
  • One or more metal layers may be disposed on various interior and/or exterior surfaces of the cover (e.g., a plurality, a majority, substantially all, or all of such surfaces) .
  • Such implementations may be used to reduce the effects of various environmental conditions which may
  • one or more conductive traces may be built into housing 120 and/or on surfaces of housing 120 to facilitate the passing of signals from components of the infrared imaging device such as infrared sensor assembly 128, a temperature measurement component, and/or other components.
  • Various fiducial markers may be provided on exterior and/or interior surfaces of the housing. Such fiducial markers may be used, for example, to align various components during manufacture of infrared imaging module 100.
  • Figs. 9A and 9B illustrate top perspective and bottom perspective views, respectively, of infrared imaging module 100 installed in socket 104 in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • infrared imaging module 100 may include an implementation of housing 120 (denoted 120A) and lens barrel 110 having aperture 112.
  • socket 104 may include electrical connections 108 which may contact corresponding electrical connections of infrared imaging module 100,
  • Fig. 10A illustrates infrared imaging module 100 removed from socket 104 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • infrared imaging module 100 may include base 150 with electrical connections 147 to connect various portions of infrared imaging module 100 to socket 104 and/or host device 102.
  • housing 12 OA is shown having a substantially non-metal cover 910A with exposed exterior surfaces.
  • exterior surfaces of housing 12 OA are not covered by metal layers.
  • Fig. 10B illustrates infrared imaging module 100 with cover 910A of housing 12 OA shown in semi-transparent form to reveal a metal layer 920A (e.g., a metalized surface) of housing 120A in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • metal layer 92 OA is disposed on substantially all interior surfaces of cover 910A.
  • Fig. IOC illustrates infrared imaging module 100 with cover 910A and metal layer 920A both shown in semi-transparent form to reveal several components enclosed by housing 120A in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • housing 12 OA may substantially enclose various components.
  • housing 120A may substantially enclose infrared sensor assembly 128 which may be implemented, for example, with a focal plane array in a vacuum package assembly sealed by cap 130 and substrate 140.
  • housing 120A and other housings 120B-D described herein are illustrated as having generally square or
  • housings 120A-D any desired shape may be used for housings 120A-D to at least partially or completely enclose one or more desired components of infrared imaging module 100.
  • housing 120A is illustrated as mounted on base 150, other mounting configurations are also contemplated for any of housings 120A-D. Any desired set of components may be substantially or completely enclosed by housings 120A-D in various embodiments to seal such components from external environments .
  • Figs. 11A-B illustrate infrared imaging module 100 with housing 12 OA removed in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • cap 130 and substrate 140 of infrared sensor assembly 128 are shown mounted on base 150 with a thermal spreader 1102 (e.g., copper or graphite in some embodiments) therebetween.
  • wire bond contacts 1104 and 1106 are shown on substrate 140 and base 150, respectively, to receive wire bonds 143 (not shown in Fig. 11A) .
  • processing module 160 is illustrated as being mounted on an underside of base 150.
  • processing module 160 may be connected to substrate 140 through wire bonds 143 and 145 (not shown in Fig. 11B) as previously described.
  • Figs. 12A-D illustrate several views of housing 120A
  • Fig. 12E illustrates a cross section taken at line 12E-12E of Fig. 12B, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Housing 120A may include a threaded aperture 122A configured to receive lens barrel 110.
  • Housing 12 OA may also include a cover 910A and one or more metal layers.
  • Cover 910A may be a substantially non-metal cover implemented with material having relatively low thermal conductivity and relatively high emissivity (e.g., emissivity in a range of approximately 0.8 to approximately 0.95 in some embodiments) .
  • cover 910A may be comprised substantially of plastic and/or other appropriate material.
  • One or more metal layers 92 OA may be disposed on various interior and/or exterior (e.g., inside and/or outside) surfaces of cover 910A (e.g., a plurality, a majority, substantially all, or all of such surfaces) .
  • metal layer 92 OA may be disposed on various interior surfaces of cover 910A facing infrared sensor assembly 128 in the manner shown in Figs. 12A-D.
  • metal layer 92 OA may be disposed on various exterior surfaces of cover 910A that face external components or external environments.
  • cover 910A may undergo a metalization process in which various metal layers are deposited and/or otherwise provided on cover 910A.
  • Combinations of interior and exterior metal layers 92 OA may be used.
  • housing 120 denoted 120B
  • two metal layers 920B provided on interior and exterior surfaces of a
  • substantially non-metal cover 910B and with conductive traces 93 OB provided, therein in the manner of conductive traces 93 OA (further described herein) .
  • housing 12 OA may include various conductive traces 93 OA that are electrically isolated from metal layer 92 OA.
  • conductive traces 93 OA may be provided on one or more interior surfaces, one or more exterior surfaces, and/or in walls of cover 910A.
  • conductive traces 930A may be used to provide electrical connections between various components within an interior cavity 912A enclosed by housing 120A (e.g., the space occupied by infrared sensor assembly 128 and/or other components) and/or from various components within cavity 912A to an exterior of housing 12 OA.
  • insulating material e.g., having low electrical conductivity
  • conductive traces 930A may be substantially surrounded by insulating material.
  • voids e.g., empty spaces
  • voids may be introduced between conductive traces 93 OA and metal layer 920A such that the substantially non-conductive cover 910A is exposed and effectively insulates conductive traces 930A from metal layer 920A.
  • metal layer 92 OA may be
  • emissivity in a range of approximately 0.02 to approximately 0.11 in some embodiments
  • metal layer 92OA may be implemented as one or more layers disposed on cover 910A (e.g., disposed directly on cover 910A and/or on top of one or more intermediate layers and/or structures). In some embodiments, metal layer 92 OA may be implemented by a plurality of
  • a copper sublayer may be provided at low cost which exhibits high thermal conductivity and affixes well to plastic. Such a copper sublayer may oxidize rapidly to a high emissivity and thus may be coated in some embodiments.
  • a nickel sublayer may be provided which maintains low emissivity even after oxidation.
  • a gold sublayer may be expensive to deposit in thick layers and may not affix well to plastic, but exhibits low emissivity and generally resists oxidization.
  • metal layer 92 OA as multiple sublayers, metal layer 920A may exhibit various advantages associated with different types of metals, while also compensating for various performance tradeoffs associated with particular types of metals.
  • Fig. 12E illustrates a cross section of housing 12 OA taken at line 12E-12E of Fig. 12B in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • metal layer 920A is implemented as a plurality of sublayers on cover 910A.
  • metal layer 920A may include: a copper sublayer 922 (e.g., a base sublayer) disposed on cover 91 OA having a thickness of approximately 10 ⁇ (e.g., in a range of approximately 4 ⁇ to approximately 16 ⁇ ) a nickel sublayer 924 (e.g., an intermediate sublayer) having a thickness of approximately 6 ⁇ or 6.5 ⁇ (e.g., in a range of approximately 2.5 ⁇ to approximately 10.5 ⁇ ) which also may be thicker to improve the performance of metal layer 92 OA in providing electromagnetic interference shielding further described herein and/or a gold sublayer 926 (e.g., a top sublayer) having a thickness of approximately 0.1 ⁇ (e.g., in a range of approximately 0.05 ⁇ to approximately 0.15 ⁇ ) or in a range of approximately 0.1 ⁇ to
  • metal layer 920A may be
  • Areas 950A may be used, for example, to electrically connect metal layer 920A to one or more electrical connections 1110 (e.g., pads, see Figs. lOA-C and 11A) .
  • conductive traces 93 OA may be implemented to extend at areas 960A over a lip of cover 910A and onto an outer surface of cover 910A. Areas
  • 960A may be used, for example, to electrically connect one or more conductive traces 930A to one or more electrical
  • connections 1108 e.g., pads, see Fig. 11A.
  • Electrical connections 1108 and 1110 may be used for various purposes including, for example, grounding, production assembly evaluation, operation (e.g., to transmit and/or receive electrical signals between various components) , and/or other purposes as appropriate.
  • grounding e.g., grounding
  • production assembly evaluation e.g., to transmit and/or receive electrical signals between various components
  • operation e.g., to transmit and/or receive electrical signals between various components
  • other purposes e.g., to transmit and/or receive electrical signals between various components
  • conductive epoxy or solder may be provided to secure and electrically connect areas 950A and/or 960A to one or more electrical connections 1110 and/or 1108, respectively.
  • housing 120A may be manufactured in a manner that permits conductive traces 93 OA and/or other components to be included in or on housing 120A.
  • conductive traces 93 OA may be manufactured as part of metal layer 920A.
  • conductive traces 930A may be efficiently provided with metal layer 92 OA during a
  • metalization operation and then electrically isolated from the remainder of metal layer 920A by appropriate insulating material or voids.
  • conductive traces 930A as part of a metalization process for metal layer 920A, the overall cost of housing 120A may be reduced over
  • conductive traces 93 OA have been formed as part of a
  • Voids in areas 940A may be formed, for example, by masking cover 910A during formation of metal layer 920A, etching area 940A after formation, and/or other appropriate techniques .
  • housing 12 OA may be a molded interconnect device (MID) manufactured in accordance with appropriate injection molding techniques.
  • housing 120A may be implemented with electrical connections (e.g., electrical connections 126 described herein or others as appropriate) ,
  • various components may be partially or fully embedded (e.g., implanted, formed, or otherwise provided) in housing 120A, or mounted on appropriate interior or exterior surfaces of housing 12 OA using such manufacturing techniques.
  • a partially or fully embedded e.g., implanted, formed, or otherwise provided
  • housing 120A e.g., a housing with a partially or fully embedded (e.g., implanted, formed, or otherwise provided) in housing 120A, or mounted on appropriate interior or exterior surfaces of housing 12 OA using such manufacturing techniques.
  • a partially or fully embedded e.g., implanted, formed, or otherwise provided
  • Temperature measurement component 980 (e.g., a thermistor, temperature diode, and/or other appropriate component) may be provided. Temperature measurement component 980 may also be electrically connected to one or more conductive traces 93 OA and/or electrical connections 126. As a result, temperature measurement component 980 may provide signals used to accurately measure temperatures associated with housing 12 OA. Such temperatures may include, for example, temperatures of housing 120A itself, temperatures of cavity 912A, temperatures of components disposed in cavity 912A, and/or other related temperatures .
  • signals from temperature measurement component 980 may be carried by conductive traces 93 OA and/or electrical connections 126 from the walls of housing 120A or cavity 912A to appropriate components external to housing 12 OA and/or appropriate components of infrared imaging module 100 for processing.
  • Such temperature measurements may be used to more accurately determine radiation contributions from out-of- field sources, improve the thermographic accuracy of the infrared sensor assembly 128, and perform various non- uniformity correction processes such as supplemental flat field corrections and/or to correct for out-of-field
  • Temperature measurement component may be
  • FIGS. 14A-G illustrate several views of another
  • housing 120 in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Fig. 14H
  • Fig. 141 illustrates a cross section taken at line 141-141 of Fig. 14G in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • housing 120C includes a cover 910C, a cavity 912C, a threaded aperture 122C, a metal layer 920C, conductive traces 930C, areas 940C, areas 950C, and areas 960C which may be used in the same and/or similar fashion as corresponding portions of covers 920A-B described herein.
  • Housing 120C also includes external conductive traces 1400 which may be used as fiducial markers and/or electrical connections further described herein.
  • conventional infrared imaging systems may be substantially reduced.
  • conventional systems may experience reduced thermographic accuracy and may exhibit low spatial frequency non-uniformity resulting from undesired external radiation, such as out-of-field radiation that is received from a location outside a field of view of a target scene desired to be imaged, and/or received from various components of such systems.
  • the low emissivity of metal layers 920A-C may reduce the effects of out-of-field radiation received by infrared sensor assembly 128 by reducing the power emitted by housings 120A-C toward infrared sensor assembly 128.
  • the power emitted by a surface may be expressed as W(A,T)*e, where ⁇ is the wavelength of infrared radiation, ⁇ is the temperature of the surface, and e is the emissivity of the surface.
  • the emitted power may be considered a linear function of the emissivity.
  • Metal such as gold has an emissivity of approximately
  • nickel has an emissivity in a range of approximately 0.05 to approximately 0.11
  • aluminum has an emissivity in a range of approximately 0.05 to approximately 0.09, all of which may be substantially less than that of covers 910A-C (e.g., having an emissivity in a range of approximately 0.8 to approximately 0.95 in the case of plastic or similar material) . Accordingly, considering the emissivities
  • power emitted from metal layers 920A-C may be approximately one tenth of that emitted from covers 910A-C.
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 receives less out-of -field radiation (e.g., power) from infrared sensor assembly 128 in response to temperature changes in covers 910A-C (e.g., an approximately 90% reduction in some
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be operated with greater thermographic accuracy, as there is less need to compensate for out-of-field radiation when performing temperature measurements of objects in a target scene.
  • the reduced amount of radiation emitted by metal layers 920A C in comparison to covers 910A-C may result in infrared sensor assembly 128 exhibiting less low spatial frequency non- uniformity.
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be operated with improved thermographic accuracy and uniformity.
  • Metal layers 920A-C may be used to improve the thermal conductivity of infrared imaging module 100 and thus reduce additional problems associated with conventional infrared imaging systems.
  • conventional systems may experience non-uniform heating (e.g., hot spots) from various components (e.g., mounted inside or outside a housing) and/or various external heat sources.
  • non-uniform heating e.g., hot spots
  • components e.g., mounted inside or outside a housing
  • various external heat sources e.g., the temperature distribution across such systems may vary significantly, especially as various components are selectively switched on and off. If left uncorrected, non-uniform heating of a housing may result in low spatial frequency non-uniformities exhibited at the sensors.
  • Such non-uniform heating effects may be substantially reduced in infrared imaging module 100 by the high thermal conductivity of metal layers 920A-C
  • Covers 910A-C may be implemented with a material (e.g., comprised substantially of plastic and/or other material) having relatively low thermal conductivity (e.g., also a relatively slow thermal time constant) .
  • relatively low thermal conductivity e.g., also a relatively slow thermal time constant
  • heat may be more uniformly distributed around infrared sensor assembly 128 and thus reduce the detrimental effects of non-uniform heating, especially where infrared imaging module 100 is used in close proximity to other components, such as in personal electronic devices .
  • the high thermal conductivity of metal layers 920A-C may permit components of infrared imaging module 100 to be more effectively cooled by convection.
  • heat generated by infrared sensor assembly 128 and processing module 160 may be received by the various surfaces of metal layers 920A-C and passed to housings 120A-C which provides a large surface area for convection cooling.
  • temperature variations in housings 120A-C may be reduced to allow for more accurate temperature measurements of housings 120A-C (e.g., by temperature measurement component 980) .
  • the increased heat flow in housings 120A-C permits infrared imaging module 100 to achieve a lower steady state operating temperature which improves the dynamic range of infrared sensors 132 and the reliability of infrared imaging module 100.
  • Metal layers 920A-C may also be used to provide an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield in a manner that overcomes several problems associated with conventional approaches.
  • EMI shields implemented as separate structures that must be positioned over various components for shielding. Such structures occupy valuable space, reduce convective cooling, and involve additional assembly costs, all of which make them poorly suited to small form factor applications.
  • metal layers 920A-C may be grounded (e.g., at areas 950A and 950C as discussed) and operate as an EMI shield.
  • metal layers 920A-C may operate as a shield to substantially attenuate EMI emitted by infrared sensor assembly 128, processing module 160, and/or various components enclosed by housings 120A-C to thus shield components of host device 102 and/or an external environment from the EMI and reduce possible interference.
  • Metal layers 920A-C may be grounded (e.g., at areas 950A and 950C as discussed) and operate as an EMI shield.
  • metal layers 920A-C may operate as a shield to substantially attenuate EMI emitted by infrared sensor assembly 128, processing module 160, and/or various components enclosed by housings 120A-C to thus shield components of host device 102 and/or an external environment from the EMI and reduce possible interference.
  • 920A-C may also operate as a shield to substantially attenuate external EMI (e.g., EMI incident on covers 910A-C) to shield infrared sensor assembly 128 and/or various components enclosed by housings 120A-C.
  • external EMI e.g., EMI incident on covers 910A-C
  • metal layers 920A-C effectively provide a compact EMI shield integrated with housings 120A-C that does not occupy
  • housing 120C includes external conductive traces 1400 which may be used as fiducial markers.
  • conductive traces 1400 include pads 1402 which include several substantially L-shaped features as fiducial markers 1404 (e.g., at several corners of pads 1402) .
  • Pads 1402 also include fiducial markers 1406 (e.g., chamfered corners) which may be distinguished from fiducial markers 1404 when analyzed by an image processing system.
  • fiducial markers 1404 and/or 1406 may be used to determine the alignment of housing 120C as it is assembled with other portions of infrared imaging module 100.
  • a machine-based assembly process may use one or more cameras (or other imaging devices) to capture images of pads 1402 during assembly of infrared imaging module 100 to determine the alignment of housing 120C relative to other components using fiducial markers 1402.
  • Fig. 15 illustrates an alignment technique used to assemble infrared imaging module 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
  • housing 120C e.g., with lens barrel 110 preinstalled therein
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 e.g., which is shown installed on base 150.
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 and lens barrel 110 be precisely aligned such that a center 1510 of the infrared sensor assembly 128 (e.g., corresponding to the center of the array of infrared sensors 132 provided thereby) be aligned with an optical axis 1512 of lens barrel 110.
  • a camera 1502 e.g., visible, infrared, or other type of camera captures images of a top surface of housing 120C as it is positioned relative to infrared sensor assembly 128. Such captured images may be received and analyzed by an appropriate
  • processing system 1520 to determine the current alignment of housing 120C relative to infrared sensor assembly 128.
  • processing system may use fiducial markers 1404 and/or 1406 in the captured images to determine the alignment of housing 120C relative to infrared sensor assembly 128.
  • housing 120C, infrared sensor assembly 128, and/or base 150 may be appropriately repositioned by alignment components 1522 (e.g., actuators, mechanical devices,
  • housing 120C may then be installed on base 150 as further described herein.
  • fiducial markers 1404 and 1406 are shown on the top surface of housing 120C in Fig. 15, it is contemplated that fiducial markers may be provided on a bottom surface of housing 120C.
  • a camera 1504 e.g., visible, infrared, or other type of camera
  • camera 1504, base 150, and/or infrared sensor assembly 128 may be implemented to permit camera 1504 to capture images of fiducial markers on the bottom surface of housing 120C while camera 1504 is positioned under base 150 and/or under infrared sensor assembly 128.
  • fiducial markers 1404 and 1406 implemented by pads 1402 on a top surface of housing 120C have been
  • FIGs, 16A-C illustrate several views of a housing 120D having fiducial markers 1604 that are positioned at other locations on top and bottom surfaces of a housing 120D.
  • L- shaped features such as those of fiducial markers 1404 and 1604 may be preferably used, as such shapes may be readily identified and distinguished from other features (e.g., chamfered corners 1406) when analyzed by various machine vision systems (e.g., such as processing system 1520) .
  • fiducial markers of any desired shape e.g., dots, crosshairs, or other shapes
  • fiducial markers may be physically implemented in any desired fashion such as conductive traces, painted markers, etched markers, molded markers, and/or others.
  • the various alignment techniques discussed with regard to the alignment of housing 120C may be used to align lens barrel 110 relative to housing 120C and/or to align shutter 1700 (further discussed herein) relative to housing 120C/lens barrel 110.
  • conductive traces 1400 may also be used to provide electrical connections. As shown in Figs. 14A-D, conductive traces 1400 include pads 1408 and areas 1410 that are electrically connected to pads 1402. Thus, when housing 120C is installed on base 1800 (see base 1800 provided by a circuit board in Figs. 18 and 19A-B) , conductive traces 1400 may pass electrical signals (e.g., control signals, data signals, power, and/or other types as appropriate) between electrical connections 1802 (e.g., pads) of base 1800 and components connected to pads 1402 (e.g., a shutter 1700 further discussed herein) .
  • electrical signals e.g., control signals, data signals, power, and/or other types as appropriate
  • Conductive traces 1400 may connect to electrical connections of base 150, circuit board 170, socket 104, and/or other components where appropriate in various installations.
  • Fig. 17 illustrates a shutter 1700 that may be installed as part of infrared imaging module 100
  • Fig. 18 illustrates shutter 1700 positioned for assembly as part of infrared imaging module 100
  • Figs. 19A-B illustrate various views of infrared imaging module 100 with shutter 1700 shown in semi-transparent form to illustrate contacts 1702 engaged with pads 1402 on an external surface of housing 120C in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.
  • Shutter 1700 includes contacts 1702 that may engage with pads 1402 of housing 120C when shutter 1700 is installed as part of infrared imaging module 100.
  • contacts 1702 may be compression contacts (e.g., spring contacts) configured to be biased against pads 1402 when shutter 1700 is installed on housing 120C (see Figs. 19A-B) .
  • contacts 1702 may be implemented in other appropriate forms and/or may be soldered or otherwise connected to pads 1402.
  • Shutter 1700 also includes a recess 1704 configured to receive lens barrel 110 and an external ring 1810 of housing 120C (with threaded aperture 122C disposed therein) as shutter 1700 is installed onto housing 120C.
  • Shutter 1700 also includes an orientation groove 1706 configured to receive an orientation tab 1808 of housing 120C to align shutter 1700 relative to housing 120C.
  • Fig. 20 illustrates a process for manufacturing infrared imaging module 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Although particular operations are identified in Fig. 20, fewer or greater numbers of operations may be performed as desired in accordance with appropriate
  • cover 910C is provided.
  • operation 2010 may include forming cover 910C using MID techniques to partially or fully embed various electrical connections 126 and/or components (e.g.,
  • temperature measurement component 980 or others within cover 910C.
  • components may be attached and/or connected in other operations of Pig. 20 ,
  • metal layer 920C is provided.
  • operation 2015 may be performed by metalizing surfaces of cover 910C as part of a MID manufacturing process (e.g., as part of operation 2010), thus saving cost and time.
  • metal layer 920C may be formed as a single layer and/or several sublayers (e.g., sublayers 922, 924, 926, and/or others) in accordance with appropriate metalization techniques.
  • cover 9 IOC may be appropriately masked during operation 2015 to define conductive traces 930C and/or areas 940C.
  • conductive traces 930C may be formed as portions of metal layer 920C during operation 2015.
  • conductive traces 930C and/or areas 940C may be provided in other operations.
  • the techniques used to provide conductive traces 930C may be used to provide conductive traces 1400.
  • an external metal layer may be provided (e.g., see external metal layer 920B of Fig. 13) , or cover 910C may be appropriately masked to provide conductive traces 1400.
  • conductive traces 930C are provided (e.g., if not already provided in operation 2015) .
  • operation 2020 may include etching and/or otherwise removing portions of metal layer 920C to expose areas 940C and thus define conductive traces 930C from metal layer 920C.
  • conductive traces 93 OC may be metal that is separately provided in operation 2020.
  • portions of metal layer 920C may be removed in areas 940C and also in areas designated to receive conductive traces 930C.
  • One or more metal layers for conductive traces 930C may then be provided in appropriate removed areas between . existing portions of metal layer 920C.
  • operation 2020 may also include insulating (e.g., electrically isolating) conductive traces
  • metal layer 920C e.g., if not already performed in operation 2015
  • This may include, for example, maintaining voids in areas 940C, providing insulating material in areas 9 0C, substantially or completely surrounding conductive traces 930C with insulating material, and/or other appropriate insulating techniques. Also in operation 2020, the techniques used to provide conductive traces 930C may be used to provide conductive traces 1400.
  • one or more components are attached to housing 120C and/or connected to conductive traces 930C and/or conductive traces 1400.
  • temperature measurement component 980 may be connected to conductive traces 930C and mounted on an interior surface of housing 120C.
  • one or more components e.g., shutter 1700 may be connected to conductive traces
  • lens barrel 110 is screwed into threaded aperture 122C provided by housing 120C.
  • lens barrel 110 may be attached to housing 120C in operation 2030 using other techniques (e.g., epoxy, frictional engagement, and/or others).
  • operation 2030 may result in the generation of particulates (e.g., caused by friction and/or engagement of lens barrel 110 with threads of aperture 122C) .
  • particulates e.g., caused by friction and/or engagement of lens barrel 110 with threads of aperture 122C
  • such particulates may be removed (e.g., by blowing air or other gases on housing 120C, lens barrel 110, and/or other components) .
  • operation 2040 components of infrared imaging module 100 intended to reside within cavity 912C are provided.
  • operation 2040 may include manuf cturing or otherwise providing infrared sensor assembly 128 and/or other components of infrared imaging module 100.
  • housing 120C is aligned relative to infrared sensor assembly 128 and/or base 150/1800 using various fiducial markers 1404, 1406, and/or 1604 as described herein , At operation 2050, housing 120C is moved toward base
  • operation 2050 may include positioning infrared sensor assembly 128 and housing 120C relative to each other such that housing 1 0C at least substantially encloses infrared sensor assembly 128 and such that metal layer 920C (disposed on various interior surfaces of cover 910C) faces infrared sensor assembly 128.
  • cover 910C may be lowered over infrared sensor assembly 128.
  • infrared sensor assembly 128 may be inserted into cavity 912C.
  • housing 120C is attached to base 150/1800 (e.g., using non- conductive epoxy) .
  • housing electrical connections e.g., areas 950A and 960A of housing 120A; and areas 950C, 960C, and 1410 of housing 120C
  • housing electrical connections are attached (e.g., using solder or conductive epoxy) to appropriate electrical connections of base 150/1800 (e.g., electrical connections 1108 and 1110 of base 150; and electrical connections 1802 of base 1800) .
  • shutter 1700 is aligned relative to housing 120C using orientation tab 1808, orientation groove 1706, fiducial markers 1404, and/or fiducial markers 1406.
  • shutter 1700 is moved toward housing 120C (and/or housing 120C may be moved toward shutter 1700) which brings contacts 1702 into engagement with pads 1402 of housing 120C, As discussed, contacts 1702 may be compression contacts that are biased against pads 1402 when shutter 1700 is installed on housing 120C (see Figs. 19A-B) . Also at any suitable for 1700.
  • lens barrel 110 and external ring 1810 are received by recess 1704, and orientation tab 1808 is received by orientation groove 1706.
  • shutter 1700 is attached to housing 120C (e.g., using epoxy and/or other appropriate techniques) .
  • an assembled infrared imaging module 100 may be provided for installation in a device.
  • infrared imaging module 100 is engaged with socket 104, for example, in accordance with various techniques described herein.
  • operation 2080 may include inserting infrared imaging module 100 into socket 104 of host device 102 such that housing 120C engages with socket 104. Other installation techniques may also be used.
  • housing 120 may be formed around various components (e.g., infrared sensor assembly 128) during its manufacture.
  • various components e.g., infrared sensor assembly 1248
  • other embodiments are also contemplated.
  • metal layers 920A-C have been primarily described as being on one or more interior surfaces of covers 910A-C, one or more appropriate metal layers may be provided on various interior and/or exterior surfaces of covers 910A-D as may be desired to further realize the various emissivity,
  • metal layers 920A-C conductivity, shielding, and other advantages provided by metal layers 920A-C.
  • Non-transitory instructions, program code, and/or data can be stored on one or more non-transitory machine readable mediums. It is also contemplated that software identified herein can be implemented using one or more general purpose or specific purpose computers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise. Where applicable, the ordering of various steps described herein can be changed, combined into composite steps, and/or separated into sub-steps to provide features described herein. Embodiments described above illustrate but do not limit the invention. It should also be understood that numerous modifications and variations are possible in accordance with the principles of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined only by the following claims.

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un boîtier destiné à un module de caméra à infrarouge pouvant être réalisé avec une enveloppe sensiblement non métallique conçue pour confiner sensiblement ou complètement divers composants d'un dispositif d'imagerie à infrarouge. Selon l'invention, une couche métallique peut être disposée sur diverses surfaces intérieures et/ou extérieures de l'enveloppe. On peut utiliser ce genre de réalisations pour réduire les effets de diverses conditions environnementales qui peuvent autrement affecter de manière néfaste la performance du dispositif d'imagerie à infrarouge. De plus, on peut réaliser un ou plusieurs rubans conducteurs dans le boîtier et/ou sur les surfaces intérieures du boîtier afin de faciliter le passage de signaux provenant de composants du dispositif d'imagerie à infrarouge, tels que des capteurs à infrarouge, des circuits de lecture, un composant de mesure de température et/ou d'autres composants. On peut prévoir un ou plusieurs repères de centrage servant à aligner divers composants du module de caméra à infrarouge pendant la fabrication.
PCT/US2013/054802 2012-08-14 2013-08-13 Boîtier de système de caméra à infrarouge à surface métallisée WO2014028540A1 (fr)

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US10502548B2 (en) * 2017-05-09 2019-12-10 Google Llc Sensor combination
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