Abstract:
A photo sensing structure and methods for forming the same. The structure includes (a) a semiconductor substrate and (b) a photo collection region on the semiconductor substrate. The structure also includes a funneled light pipe on top of the photo collection region. The funneled light pipe includes (i) a bottom cylindrical portion on top of the photo collection region of the photo collection region, and (ii) a funneled portion which has a tapered shape and is on top and in direct physical contact with the bottom cylindrical portion. The structure further includes a color filter region on top of the funneled light pipe.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for collecting and detecting light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements. The light-emitting elements are grouped into two or more clusters of one or more light-emitting elements with the clusters arranged such that a portion of the light emitted from each cluster is directly incident upon a central axis, wherein every point along the central axis is equidistant from each cluster. A light collection means also having a central axis associated therewith is placed such that the central axis of the clusters and the central axis of the collection means coincide. The light collection means collects a substantially equal portion of light from each cluster and propagates the collected light to a detection means comprising an optical sensor for conversion to an electrical signal representative of the light emitted by the clusters. The electrical signal provided by the light detection means may be fed back to a controller for use in controlling the properties of the light emitted by the light-emitting elements.
Abstract:
A light transmission window member capable of simplifying the structure and capable of simplifying manufacturing steps is obtained. This light transmission window member (10, 10a), which is a light transmission window member employed for a semiconductor package (30, 30a), comprises a flat metal frame (2) having an opening (2a) for defining a light passage region and a glass member (1) capable of transmitting light bonded to the upper surface of the flat frame having the opening without through an adhesive to cover the opening.
Abstract:
Speckle based optical navigation is improved by increasing the collection efficiency of the photodetector through the introduction of a lightpipe or reflector technology. For example, the use of elliptical sidewalls and diffraction gratings in conjunction with a lightpipe leads to improvements in collection efficiency.
Abstract:
An imaging system for use in a vehicle headlamp control system includes an opening, an image sensor, a red lens blocking red complement light between the opening and the image sensor, and a red complement lens blocking red light between the opening and the image sensor. Each lens focuses light onto a different subwindow of the image sensor. The imaging system allows processing and control logic to detect the presence of headlamps on oncoming vehicles and tail lights on vehicles approached from the rear for the purpose of controlling headlamps. A light sampling lens may be used to redirect light rays from an arc spanning above the vehicle to in front of the vehicle into substantially horizontal rays. The light sampling lens is imaged by the image sensor to produce an indication of light intensity at various elevations. The processing and control logic uses the light intensity to determine whether headlamps should be turned on or off. A shutter may be used to protect elements of the imaging system from excessive light exposure.
Abstract:
The inventive sensor device includes a support structure, a sensing element mounted on the support substrate for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto, and an encapsulant encapsulating the sensing element on the support structure. The encapsulant being configured to define a lens portion for focusing incident optical radiation onto an active surface of the sensing element, and an optical radiation collector portion surrounding the lens portion for collecting and redirecting optical radiation that is not incident the lens portion onto the active surface of the sensing element. The collector portion may be a parabolic reflector that reflects incident light by total internal reflection. The sensor device may be incorporated into an assembly including a diffuser positioned across an aperture, and/or may be incorporated into a vehicle accessory such as a rearview mirror assembly.
Abstract:
Speckle based optical navigation is improved by increasing the collection efficiency of the photodetector through the introduction of a lightpipe or reflector technology. For example, the use of elliptical sidewalls and diffraction gratings in conjunction with a lightpipe leads to improvements in collection efficiency.
Abstract:
An optical array containing a system of absorptive filters and a system of interference filters. For the sun light the spectral characteristics of transmission of the optical array is close to the world-wide accepted Diffey Standard. That standard models human skin sensitivity to UV burning. The invention allows making inexpensive, miniature UV sensors that can be applied in a miniature devices measuring burning power of UV contained in the sun light.
Abstract:
The inventive sensor device includes a support structure, a sensing element mounted on the support substrate for sensing optical radiation and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto, and an encapsulant encapsulating the sensing element on the support structure. The encapsulant being configured to define a lens portion for focusing incident optical radiation onto an active surface of the sensing element, and an optical radiation collector portion surrounding the lens portion for collecting and redirecting optical radiation that is not incident the lens portion onto the active surface of the sensing element. The collector portion may be a parabolic reflector that reflects incident light by total internal reflection. The sensor device may be incorporated into an assembly including a diffuser positioned across an aperture, and/or may be incorporated into a vehicle accessory such as a rearview mirror assembly.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process and a device for detecting or recognizing an object by means of color recognition or brightness evaluation, whereby radiation emitted by a radiation source on the object and radiation reflected from the object is recorded by a photosensitive element such as a color-recognizing sensor. In order to be able to detect objects with a higher measuring exactitude, whereby changes in distance between object and light-sensitive element should not basically lead to a measurement falsification, it is suggested that reflected radiation be guided to the photosensitive element by means of a light-guiding element tapering in the direction of the photosensitive element.