Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Optical sensor arrangement and method for light sensing
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Application No.: US16626457Application Date: 2018-06-08
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Publication No.: US11029197B2Publication Date: 2021-06-08
- Inventor: Bernhard Greimel-Längauer , Peter Bliem
- Applicant: ams AG
- Applicant Address: AT Premstaetten
- Assignee: ams AG
- Current Assignee: ams AG
- Current Assignee Address: AT Premstaetten
- Agency: MH2 Technology Law Group LLP
- Priority: EP17180507 20170710
- International Application: PCT/EP2018/065189 WO 20180608
- International Announcement: WO2019/011543 WO 20190117
- Main IPC: G01J1/18
- IPC: G01J1/18 ; G01J1/46 ; G01J1/44

Abstract:
An optical sensor arrangement has an integrator, a photodiode for providing a current corresponding to a first polarity, a comparator coupled to the integrator for comparing a voltage with a threshold voltage to provide a comparison output, a reference charge circuit and a control unit. The reference charge circuit is coupled to the integrator for selectively providing first charge packages of a first size or second charge packages of a second size. The control unit is configured to control operation in a calibration phase, in an integration phase and in a residual measurement phase. During the calibration phase, the reference charge circuit provides one of the first charge packages and one or more of the second charge packages to the integrator until the comparison output changes. A reference number is determined corresponding to a number of the second charge packages provided. During the integration phase, the photodiode is connected to the integrator and the reference charge circuit provides one of the first charge packages to the integrator in response to a respective change of the comparison output. An integration number corresponding to a number of the changes of the comparison output is determined. During the residual measurement phase that immediately follows the integration phase, the reference charge circuit provides one or more of the second charge packages to the integrator until the comparison output changes. A residual number corresponding to a number of the second charge packages provided is determined.
Public/Granted literature
- US20200225086A1 OPTICAL SENSOR ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR LIGHT SENSING Public/Granted day:2020-07-16
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