Patents Assigned to ams AG
  • Module circuit, display module and method for providing an output signal
    Patent number: 10360874
    Abstract: A module circuit (11) comprises a sensor terminal (43) for feeding a sensor signal (SP) and a clock terminal (41) for feeding a pulse width-modulated clock signal (ST) having a first and a second clock phase (A, B). A signal processing circuit (40) of the module circuit (11) is coupled on the input side to the sensor terminal (43) and the clock terminal (41) and is designed to provide an output signal (SAL) dependent on the sensor signal (SP) that can be tapped in the first clock phase (A) and independent of the sensor signal (SP) that can be tapped in the second clock phase (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventor: Peter Trattler
  • Motor position sensor device
    Patent number: 10348224
    Abstract: A motor position sensor device comprises a motor position detection unit being configured to detect a position of a rotor of an electric motor. The motor position sensor device comprises a selection circuit being configured to couple a first supply terminal to provide a supply voltage to the motor position detection unit, if a level of the supply voltage is above the threshold level, and to couple a second supply terminal to provide an auxiliary supply voltage to the motor position detection unit, if the level of the supply voltage is below the threshold level and the level of the auxiliary supply voltage is above the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Roland Einspieler, Christian Stockreiter
  • Sensor circuit and method for measuring a physical or chemical quantity
    Patent number: 10338022
    Abstract: A sensor circuit for measuring a physical or chemical quantity comprises a capacitive sensor. A sense and a base electrode of the sensor form a capacitive element with a capacity depending on the quantity. A common electrode of the sensor forms a first and a second parasitic capacitance together with the sense and the base electrode, respectively. The sensor circuit is adapted to store a charge on the capacitive element and to read out the stored charge via the sense electrode. A buffer element is connected between the sense electrode and the common electrode and adapted to drive the common electrode at a voltage applied to the sense electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: José Manuel García González, Rafael Serrano Gotarredona
  • Low dropout regulator circuit and method for controlling a voltage of a low dropout regulator circuit
    Patent number: 10338618
    Abstract: An LDO circuit comprises a pass element, and input stage, a current sink, a comparator and a control circuit. The pass element is configured to generate an output voltage depending on a gate signal and on an input voltage. The input stage is configured to generate a steering signal based on a deviation between a first reference signal and a feedback signal, the feedback signal being based on the output voltage. The current sink is controlled by a steering signal and connected between the gate control terminal and a reference terminal. The comparator is configured to compare the steering signal to a second reference signal and to generate a switch signal based on the comparison. The control circuit comprises a first current path and is configured to suspend, in particular temporarily suspend, the first current path depending on the switch signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Martin Mayer, Thomas Jessenig
  • Method of producing an interposer-chip-arrangement for dense packaging of chips
    Patent number: 10340254
    Abstract: The method of producing an interposer-chip-arrangement, comprises providing an interposer (1) with an integrated circuit (25), arranging a dielectric layer (2) with metal layers embedded in the dielectric layer above a main surface (10) of the interposer, connecting the integrated circuit with at least one of the metal layers, forming an interconnection (7) through the interposer, the interconnection contacting one of the metal layers, arranging a further dielectric layer (3) above a further main surface (11) of the interposer opposite the main surface and arranging a further metal layer in or on the further dielectric layer, the further metal layer being connected with the interconnection, arranging a chip provided with at least one contact pad at the main surface or at the further main surface, and electrically conductively connecting the contact pad with the interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Jochen Kraft, Martin Schrems, Franz Schrank
  • Semiconductor device for wafer-scale integration
    Patent number: 10332931
    Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor wafer with an integrated circuit, formed by a plurality of dies, a further semiconductor wafer, which differs from the semiconductor wafer in diameter and semiconductor material, the semiconductor wafer and the further semiconductor wafer being bonded to one another by means of a bonding layer, and an electrically conductive contact layer arranged on the further semiconductor wafer opposite to the bonding layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Cathal Cassidy, Joerg Siegert, Franz Schrank
  • Noise-cancellation system and method for noise cancellation
    Patent number: 10304438
    Abstract: A noise-cancellation system for a headphone (HP) that comprises a speaker (200, 210) for emitting a speaker signal, a microphone (300, 310, 320, 330) for receiving a microphone signal and a proximity sensor (400, 410) for a receiving a proximity signal comprising quantitative information on the distance of the an object (OBJ) from the proximity sensor (400, 410) has a signal processing device (100). The signal processing device (100) is designed to generate a compensation signal based on the microphone signal, wherein the generation of the compensation signal comprises filtering with an adjustable filter characteristic. The compensation signal is combined with an audio signal in order to generate the speaker signal. The filter characteristic is adapted based on the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventor: Horst Gether
  • IMAGE SENSOR AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN IMAGE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20190158767
    Abstract: An image sensor (10) comprises an array of pixels (11) having a subset of pixels (12). The subset of pixels (12) comprises a first and a second pixel (20, 30), wherein the first and the second pixel (20, 30) each comprises a pinned photodiode (21, 31), a sense node (22, 32), a transfer gate (23, 33) coupled to the pinned photodiode (21, 31) and the sense node (22, 32), and a connection switch (24, 34) coupled to the sense node (22, 32). The subset of pixels (12) further comprises a common reset node (40) such that the connection switch (24, 34) of the first and the second pixel (20, 30) are coupled to the common reset node (40), and a single reset transistor (41) providing a reset voltage (VRES) to the common reset node (40). The first and the second pixel (20, 30) share the single reset transistor (41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventors: Bram WOLFS, Tim Blanchaert
  • Amplifier arrangement and amplification method
    Patent number: 10298179
    Abstract: An amplifier arrangement has an input transistor being connected between reference potential terminals by a current source and a current sink. An amplifier stage has an amplifier output coupled to a first connection node between the current sink and a first terminal of the input transistor by means of a feedback path, and an amplifier input connected to a second connection node between the current source and the second terminal of the input transistor. A level-shifting structure has a level-shifting element with one end connected to a reference connection, wherein the level-shifting element is adapted to perform a level-shifting of a potential at the second connection node with respect to a potential at the reference connection. The reference connection is coupled to one of the following: the amplifier output, the first connection node, a control terminal of the input transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Weixun Yan, Thomas Froehlich
  • Method for calibrating a color space transformation, method for color space transformation and color control system
    Patent number: 10290264
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a color space transformation according comprises driving of a light source at a first ambient temperature T1. The light source it is tuned to emit light with a number N of combinations of at least two correlated color temperatures and at least two intensities. Furthermore, the method includes receiving first red coordinates, first green coordinates and first blue coordinates measurements in the RGB color space. First x-coordinates, first y-coordinates and first z-coordinates are received from measurements in the XYZ color space. 3×N matrices RGB_1 and XYZ_1 are constructed based on the received coordinates. A 3×3 conversion matrix C is generated to fulfil the relation XYZ_1=C*RGB_1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Sajol Christopher Ghoshal, Sina Afshari
  • Field effect transistor device with separate source and body contacts and method of producing the device
    Patent number: 10283635
    Abstract: The field effect transistor device comprises a substrate (1) of semiconductor material, a body well of a first type of electric conductivity in the substrate, a source region in the body well, the source region having an opposite second type of electric conductivity, a source contact (3) on the source region, a body contact region of the first type of electric conductivity in the body well, a body contact (5) on the body contact region, and a gate electrode layer (2) partially overlapping the body well. A portion (2*) of the gate electrode layer (2) is present between the source contact (3) and the body contact (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Martin Knaipp, Georg Roehrer, Jong Mun Park
  • Circuit arrangement and method for disturber detection
    Patent number: 10281614
    Abstract: In one embodiment a circuit arrangement for disturber detection comprises an input for receiving an input signal, the input being adapted to be coupled to an antenna, a receiver circuit coupled to the input which is configured to provide a demodulated signal as a function of the input signal, and a disturber rejection circuit which is coupled to an output of the receiver circuit. Therein the disturber rejection circuit is configured to provide a first signal indicative of a low energy disturber and/or a second signal indicative of a square envelope disturber, the first and second signals being provided as a function of the demodulated signal at respective outputs of the disturber rejection circuit. Furthermore, a lightning detector and a method for disturber detection are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventor: Ruggero Leoncavallo
  • Semiconductor device comprising an aperture array and method of producing such a semiconductor device
    Patent number: 10283541
    Abstract: A photosensor (2) is arranged in a semiconductor substrate (1) at a main surface (10), a dielectric layer (4) is arranged on or above the main surface, the dielectric layer including a metal layer (6) electrically connected with the photosensor, and an aperture layer (16) formed from an opaque or semitransparent material is arranged on or above the dielectric layer. The aperture layer is provided with an array of transparent aperture zones (18) above the photosensor, each of the aperture zones penetrating the aperture layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Joerg Siegert, Franz Schrank, Martin Schrems
  • SIGNAL PROCESSING ARRANGEMENT, SENSOR ARRANGEMENT AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD
    Publication number: 20190115932
    Abstract: A signal processing arrangement has a signal input for connecting a capacitive sensor. An amplifier circuit is coupled between the signal input and a feedback point. A loop filter is coupled downstream to the feedback point. A quantizer is connected downstream to the loop filter and provides a multi-bit output word. The multi-bit output word consists of one or more higher significance bits and one or more lower significance bits. A first feedback path is coupled between a quantizer and the feedback point for providing a first feedback signal to the feedback point being representative of the one or more lower significance bits. A second feedback path is coupled to the quantizer for providing a second feedback signal to the signal input being representative of the one or more higher significance bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventors: Thomas CHRISTEN, Colin STEELE, Thomas FROEHLICH
  • Dicing method
    Patent number: 10256147
    Abstract: The dicing method comprises the steps of providing a substrate (1) of semiconductor material, the substrate having a main surface (10), where integrated components (3) of chips (13) are arranged, and a rear surface (11) opposite the main surface, fastening a first handling wafer above the main surface, thinning the substrate at the rear surface, and forming trenches (20) penetrating the substrate and separating the chips by a single etching step after the substrate has been thinned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Martin Schrems, Bernhard Stering, Franz Schrank
  • Sensor Arrangement and Method for Generating An Amplified Sensor Signal
    Publication number: 20190094280
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement (10) comprises an amplifier (11) having a signal input (12) to receive an input signal (SIN) and a signal output (13) to provide an amplified sensor signal (SOUT) that is an inverted signal with respect to the input signal (SIN). Furthermore, the sensor arrangement (10) comprises a feedback path connecting the signal output (13) to the signal input (12), wherein the feedback path comprises a series connection of a capacitive sensor (14) and a feedback capacitor (15). A voltage source arrangement (19) of the sensor arrangement (10) is connected to a feedback node (18) between the capacitive sensor (14) and the feedback capacitor (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventor: Matthias Steiner
  • Bolometer and method for measurement of electromagnetic radiation
    Patent number: 10234332
    Abstract: A bolometer (10) comprises a first and a second suspension beam (12, 13) and a semiconductor portion (11) that is suspended by the first and the second suspension beam (12, 13) and comprises a first region (17) of a first conductivity type and a second region (18) of a second conductivity type. The first region (17) comprises a first triangle (21) or at least two stripes (40, 41) or islands (60, 61) which each contribute to a non-short-circuited diode (20) with the second region (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Georg Roehrer, Sara Carniello
  • Sensor arrangement with a capacitive sensor and method for generating an amplified sensor signal with a capacitive sensor
    Patent number: 10222407
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement (10) comprises an amplifier (11) having a signal input (12) to receive an input signal (SIN) and a signal output (13) to provide an amplified sensor signal (SOUT) that is an inverted signal with respect to the input signal (SIN). Furthermore, the sensor arrangement (10) comprises a feedback path connecting the signal output (13) to the signal input (12), wherein the feedback path comprises a series connection of a capacitive sensor (14) and a feedback capacitor (15). A voltage source arrangement (19) of the sensor arrangement (10) is connected to a feedback node (18) between the capacitive sensor (14) and the feedback capacitor (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventor: Matthias Steiner
  • METHOD OF OPERATING A SEMICONDUCTOR IMAGE SENSOR
    Publication number: 20190068907
    Abstract: At least one of the pixels of the image sensor is heated using at least one heater, and the temperature of this pixel is thus increased by a larger degree than the temperature of at least a further one of the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventors: Thomas Stockmeier, Richard Forsyth, Thomas Troxler
  • Interface circuits and communication system for coupling a host device to an accessory device and method for communication between such devices
    Patent number: 10218410
    Abstract: A host interface circuit operates in a power mode when connected to an accessory device compatible with a power supply via a first line of a data cable. During power mode, the host interface circuit couples a power regulator to the first line. The host interface circuit operates in a legacy mode when connected to an accessory device not compatible with such a power supply and couples the legacy terminal to the first line during legacy mode. An accessory interface circuit configured to operate in a power mode when connected to a host device capable of a power supply via a first line couples a power input of an active device to the first line and a data input of the active device to a second line during power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Horst Gether, Helmut Theiler