Abstract: The photodetector device comprises a substrate (1) of semiconductor material, a sensor region (2) in the substrate, a plurality of grid elements (4) arranged at a distance (d) from one another above the sensor region, the grid elements having a refractive index, a region of lower refractive index (3), the grid elements being arranged on the region of lower refractive index, and a further region of lower refractive index (5) covering the grid elements.

Abstract: A portable environment sensing device is described which comprises at least one time-of-flight sensor capable of detecting the distances from the time-of-flight sensor to at least two features within the field of view of the time-of-flight sensor simultaneously. The portable environment sensing device further comprises a processing unit capable of converting the at least two measured distances into at least two different distance signals, where each distance signal is correlated with the corresponding measured distance, and an output interface providing the at least two distance signals to a user simultaneously.

Abstract: In one embodiment an optical proximity sensing circuit comprises an optical emitting device which is prepared to send a signal having a wavelength of the invisible spectrum, a light conversion material being prepared to convert a reflected signal into a detectable signal, the reflected signal being a function of a reflection of the signal off a human user and the detectable signal having a wavelength of the visible spectrum, and an optical receiving device arranged apart from but in a visual range of the optical emitting device and prepared to detect the detectable signal and therefrom provide a measurement signal which is a function of a distance between the optical proximity sensing circuit and the human user, wherein the conversion material is mounted to the optical receiving device, and wherein each of the signal, the reflected signal and the detectable signal is an optical signal.

Abstract: A biometric sensor arrangement (10) comprises a first radiation source (11), a second radiation source (12) that is implemented as a flash radiation source and a driver (13) coupled to the first and the second radiation source (11, 12) and configured to selectively operate the first and the second radiation source (11, 12). Moreover, the biometric sensor arrangement (10) comprises a photosensor (16) and a signal conditioning unit (18) coupled to the photosensor (16) and designed to provide a biometric signal (SB).

Abstract: A portable environment sensing device is described which comprises at least one time-of-flight sensor capable of detecting the distances from the time-of-flight sensor to at least two features within the field of view of the time-of-flight sensor simultaneously. The portable environment sensing device further comprises a processing unit capable of converting the at least two measured distances into at least two different distance signals, where each distance signal is correlated with the corresponding measured distance, and an output interface providing the at least two distance signals to a user simultaneously.

Abstract: The photodetector device comprises a substrate (1) of semiconductor material, a sensor region (2) in the substrate, a plurality of grid elements (4) arranged at a distance (d) from one another above the sensor region, the grid elements having a refractive index, a region of lower refractive index (3), the grid elements being arranged on the region of lower refractive index, and a further region of lower refractive index (5) covering the grid elements.

Abstract: A method for detecting particles comprises emitting by an emitter unit a first pulse of light into a measurement chamber in a specified emission direction, detecting first reflected fractions by a photosensitive element during a first time window and determining an amount of particles depending on the detection of the first reflected fractions. A path with minimum length for a light ray being emitted by the emitter unit, reflected from a reflector and detected by the photosensitive element is defined by the emission direction and by a mutual arrangement of the reflector, the emitter unit and the photosensitive element. A difference between a starting time of the first pulse and an end time of the first time window is smaller than a time-of-flight for light propagating along the path with minimum length.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a circuit arrangement and a module having a first mechanical switch and an electrode. The circuit arrangement has a terminal that is connected to the module, a drive unit that is connected to the terminal and serves to provide a drive signal, a first evaluation unit that is connected to the terminal and serves for key detection, as well as a second evaluation unit that is connected to the first evaluation unit and serves for proximity detection. Therein the drive signal is designed for driving an electrode of a capacitive proximity sensor in the module, the first evaluation unit is designed to provide a touch signal according to an actuation of the module by a person, and the second evaluation unit is designed to provide a proximity signal according to an approach of a person to the module.

Abstract: A biometric sensor arrangement (10) comprises a first radiation source (11), a second radiation source (12) that is implemented as a flash radiation source and a driver (13) coupled to the first and the second radiation source (11, 12) and configured to selectively operate the first and the second radiation source (11, 12). Moreover, the biometric sensor arrangement (10) comprises a photosensor (16) and a signal conditioning unit (18) coupled to the photosensor (16) and designed to provide a biometric signal (SB).

Abstract: A voltage converter comprises a step-down converter circuit (DCDC) with an inductive accumulator (LSW) and a first capacitive accumulator (CDC) and a charge pump circuit (CP) with at least one second capacitive accumulator (CFLY, CFLY1,CFLY2). The step-down converter circuit (DCDC) which can be fed a supply voltage (VBAT) on the input side is designed to charge the first capacitive accumulator (CDC) to a first intermediate voltage in switched mode. The charge pump circuit (CP) is designed to charge the at least one second capacitive accumulator (CFLY, CFLY1,CFLY2) to a second intermediate voltage using the supply voltage (VBAT) and to generate an output voltage from the first and second intermediate voltages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector circuit comprising a connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and a connection for connecting a lamp (LED), said connection being connected to the connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and to a first control component (I2C) of a first interface protocol and a second control component (PWM) of a second interface protocol. The detector circuit further comprises a first input node (In1) and a second input node (In2), wherein the first control component (I2C) is connected to the first input node (In1) and the second input node (In2) and the second control component (PWM) is connected to the second input node (In2). A detector (det) for ascertaining an interface standard is coupled to the connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and the first input node (In1) on one side and to ground (GND) on the other side.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a circuit arrangement (8) and a module (M) having a first mechanical switch (S1) and an electrode (E1). The circuit arrangement (8) has a terminal (9) that is connected to the module (M), a drive unit (A) that is connected to the terminal (9) and serves to provide a drive signal (Sa), a first evaluation unit (B) that is connected to the terminal (9) and serves for key detection, as well as a second evaluation unit (C) that is connected to the first evaluation unit (B) and serves for proximity detection. Therein the drive signal (Sa) is designed for driving an electrode (E1) of a capacitive proximity sensor in the module (M), the first evaluation unit (B) is designed to provide a touch signal (Sb) according to an actuation of the module (M) by a person, and the second evaluation unit (C) is designed to provide a proximity signal (Sc) according to an approach of a person to the module (M). Furthermore, a method for evaluating the module is disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage converter comprises a step-down converter (DC), to which can be supplied, on the inlet side, an inlet voltage (VBat), to which is supplied, on the inlet side, a control voltage (Vs), and which has an outlet (11) to make available a first outlet voltage (V1), as a function of the inlet voltage (VBat) and the control voltage (Vs), a charge pump (CP), coupled with the step-down converter (DC) on its outlet (11), with an outlet (12) to make available a second outlet voltage (V2), as a function of the inlet voltage (VBat) and the first outlet voltage (V1), and a voltage regulator (Ctl), to which a first effective voltage (Vb), as a function of the first outlet voltage (V1), and a second effective voltage (Vr), as a function of the second outlet voltage (V2), are supplied, and which has an outlet to make available the control voltage (Vs), as a function of the first and the second effective voltages (Vb, Vr). Moreover, a method for voltage conversion is disclosed.

Abstract: A voltage converter is provided in which a first terminal (A) and a second terminal (B) are provided, each coupled to a switching means, the switching means is coupled to respective terminals for connecting a first capacitor (C1), a second capacitor (C2) and a third capacitor (C3), and the voltage converter is configured for being operated in first and second modes of operation each comprising at least three phases, and in which the three capacitors (C1, C2, C3) are inserted in series connection (S) between the first terminal (A) and a reference potential terminal (10) in one phase, and in each of the two other phases a first path and a second path (P1, P2) are provided in each case in parallel connection with at least one of the three capacitors (C1, C2, C3) related to the second terminal (B).

Abstract: The invention relates to a detector circuit comprising a connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and a connection for connecting a lamp (LED), said connection being connected to the connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and to a first control component (I2C) of a first interface protocol and a second control component (PWM) of a second interface protocol. The detector circuit further comprises a first input node (In1) and a second input node (In2), wherein the first control component (I2C) is connected to the first input node (In1) and the second input node (In2) and the second control component (PWM) is connected to the second input node (In2). A detector (det) for ascertaining an interface standard is coupled to the connection for a voltage supply (Vbat) and the first input node (In1) on one side and to ground (GND) on the other side.

Abstract: A voltage converter comprises a step-down converter circuit (DCDC) with an inductive accumulator (LSW) and a first capacitive accumulator (CDC) and a charge pump circuit (CP) with at least one second capacitive accumulator (CFLY, CFLY1, CFLY2). The step-down converter circuit (DCDC) which can be fed a supply voltage (VBAT) on the input side is designed to charge the first capacitive accumulator (CDC) to a first intermediate voltage in switched mode. The charge pump circuit (CP) is designed to charge the at least one second capacitive accumulator (CFLY, CFLY1, CFLY2) to a second intermediate voltage using the supply voltage (VBAT) and to generate an output voltage from the first and second intermediate voltages.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage converter comprises a step-down converter (DC), to which can be supplied, on the inlet side, an inlet voltage (VBat), to which is supplied, on the inlet side, a control voltage (Vs), and which has an outlet (11) to make available a first outlet voltage (V1), as a function of the inlet voltage (VBat) and the control voltage (Vs), a charge pump (CP), coupled with the step-down converter (DC) on its outlet (11), with an outlet (12) to make available a second outlet voltage (V2), as a function of the inlet voltage (VBat) and the first outlet voltage (V1), and a voltage regulator (Ctl), to which a first effective voltage (Vb), as a function of the first outlet voltage (V1), and a second effective voltage (Vr), as a function of the second outlet voltage (V2), are supplied, and which has an outlet to make available the control voltage (Vs), as a function of the first and the second effective voltages (Vb, Vr). Moreover, a method for voltage conversion is disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a central unit, particularly for use in a network, has a memory (2) for at least one light pattern (L) that is suitable for running on a terminal device (5), a control logic (3) connected to the memory (2) and a communications interface (4) coupled to the control logic (3) for providing the at least one light pattern (L) for the terminal device (5). In one embodiment, a terminal device, particularly for use in a network, comprises a process control unit (10), a communications interface (11) connected to the process control unit (10) and that is set up for downloading at least one light pattern (L), and a memory (12) coupled to the process control unit (10) for storing the at least one light pattern (L).

Abstract: A voltage converter is provided in which a first terminal (A) and a second terminal (B) are provided, each coupled to a switching means, the switching means is coupled to respective terminals for connecting a first capacitor (C1), a second capacitor (C2) and a third capacitor (C3), and the voltage converter is configured for being operated in first and second modes of operation each comprising at least three phases, and in which the three capacitors (C1, C2, C3) are inserted in series connection (S) between the first terminal (A) and a reference potential terminal (10) in one phase, and in each of the two other phases a first path and a second path (P1, P2) are provided in each case in parallel connection with at least one of the three capacitors (C1, C2, C3) related to the second terminal (B).