Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate, a light emitter mounted on the substrate, and a light receiver, including a light sensitive region, mounted on the substrate. The substrate includes one or more light blocking vias arranged to prevent at least some light produced by the light emitter from traveling through the substrate and thereby generating optical cross-talk in the light receiver.

Abstract: A method of proximity sensing which comprises emitting light from an emitter and detecting reflected light, applying an offset to the detected reflected light to provide an output signal indicative of proximity, determining an average signal of the output signal; determining whether drift has occurred by comparing the output signal to a first threshold and comparing the average signal to a different threshold, and adjusting the offset if drift is identified.

Abstract: A display includes a display substrate having an active display area including a plurality of first display subpixels. A transceiver circuit is arranged to drive the display in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation. The first display subpixels include micro light-emitting diodes and/or resonant-cavity light emitting devices. In the first mode of operation, the transceiver circuit provides a forward bias to the first display subpixels, such that the first display subpixels are operable to emit light. In the second mode of operation, the transceiver circuit provides a reverse bias to the first display subpixels, such that the first display subpixels are operable to detect light.

Abstract: A display includes a display substrate with a surface, on which pixels are formed by arranging a plurality of light emitting display subpixels and a plurality of light capturing subpixels on the surface of the display substrate. Each light emitting display subpixel comprises a micro-LED and each light capturing subpixels comprises a micro photodiode. The pixels are distributed across an active display area of the display substrate. At least a portion of the pixels include a light capturing subpixel and at least one light emitting display subpixel.

Abstract: A method of using an optical TOF module to determine distance to an object. The method includes acquiring signals in the TOF module indicative of distance to the object, using a first algorithm to provide an output indicative of the distance to the object based on the acquired signals, using at least one second different algorithm to provide an output indicative of the distance to the object based on the acquired signals, and combining the outputs of the first and at least one second algorithms to obtain an improved estimate of the distance to the object. In some implementations, each of the first and at least one second algorithms further provides an output representing a respective confidence level indicative of how accurately distance to the object has been extracted by the particular algorithm.

Abstract: A presence detection system (700) configured to detect a presence of a window (130) or a mirror (330) is disclosed. The system comprises a time-of-flight sensor (110, 310, 610) configured to detect a proximity to a target (105, 305, 605) based on reflected radiation sensed from a plurality of zones (620a-i). The system also discloses processing circuitry (750) configured to determine a presence of a mirror or window in a path from the time-of-flight sensor to the target based on one or more peaks in data corresponding to the sensed radiation reflected from each of the plurality of zones. A corresponding method of detecting a presence of a window or a mirror using the disclosed system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sensor module including a sensor and a transparent body which is provided over the sensor, wherein the transparent body comprises a base portion and a convex lens which extends outwardly from the base portion and is located above the sensor, wherein an opaque material is provided on the base portion and surrounds the convex lens.

Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement includes a photodiode, a dummy photodiode, an analog-to-digital converter, a first switch which couples the photodiode to an input of the analog-to-digital converter, and a second switch which couples the dummy photodiode to the input of the analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: A device comprising: an optical emitter for emitting light having an emitted optical spectrum; an optical sensor for receiving light reflected from a tag attached to an object; and a processor configured to: determine a reflected optical colour spectrum of the light reflected from the tag based on an output of the optical sensor; retrieve an optical signature associated with said object from memory; and determine the authenticity of said object based on comparing the optical signature and the reflected optical colour spectrum.

Abstract: A proximity detection system for a mobile device. The system includes an infrared emitter to emit infrared light, an infrared detector to detect the infrared light after reflection from a target and provide a detector signal; and a signal processing subsystem. The signal processing subsystem is configured to control the proximity detection system into a first, detect mode for detecting proximity of the target as the target approaches the mobile device, and after detection of the target to control the proximity detection system into a second, release mode for detecting movement of the target out of proximity to the mobile device. The signal processing subsystem also controls the proximity detection system such that, contrary to conventional hysteresis, for a given proximity of the target the detector signal reduces when the mode switches from the detect mode to the release mode, thus increasing reliability.

Abstract: An image sensor arrangement for determining a three-dimensional image comprises an image sensor comprising an array of global shutter pixels and a control unit which is configured to drive the image sensor in an imaging mode and in a time-of-flight mode. In the imaging mode, the control unit drives the pixels according to an imaging timing sequence. In the time-of-flight mode, the control unit drives the pixels according to a time-of-flight, TOF, timing sequence. At least a first subset of pixels are operated with a phase delay with respect to at least a second subset of pixels according to a first phase and a second phase, respectively.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit includes a current controller, a first capacitor and a second capacitor. A current generator is coupled to the current controller, the first and the second capacitor, and is operable, under control of a control signal of the current controller, provide charging currents. A comparator stage comprises a first input coupled to the first capacitor, a second input coupled to the second capacitor and a reference input to be supplied with the reference voltage. The comparator stage further includes an oscillator output to provide a clock signal based on a comparison of the capacitor voltages and the reference voltage, respectively.

Abstract: An optical absorbance spectrometer including a sample housing configured to hold a sample, a light source configured to emit broadband light into the sample housing, one or more reflectors configured to reflect the light such that the light passes through a sample holding volume of the sample housing multiple times, and a sensor arranged to receive the light from the sample housing, after the reflections. The sensor comprises a plurality of detectors configured to detect the intensity of the received light at multiple different wavelengths.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the presence or concentration of target molecules comprises: a radiation source; a surface; a waveguide; a detector; and a spectral filter. The radiation source is operable to produce electromagnetic radiation. The surface defines a two dimensional array of receptor sites. The waveguide is arranged to receive the electromagnetic radiation produced by the radiation source, divide the electromagnetic radiation and direct a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to each one of a two dimensional array of receptor sites. The detector comprises a two dimensional array of sensing elements, each sensing element arranged to receive electromagnetic radiation from a different one of the two dimensional array of receptor sites. The spectral filter is provided between the surface and the detector.

Abstract: An ADC system comprises a coarse ADC for determining a coarse word representing an input signal, and an incremental ADC for determining a fine word based on a combination of the input signal and a feedback signal. A first combiner generates a first intermediate output word by joining the coarse word and the fine word. A feedback path generates the feedback signal based on the first intermediate output word. A decimation filter generates a second intermediate output word by filtering the first intermediate output word. A correction block determines a correction word based on the coarse word, on the first and the second predetermined number of bits and conversion parameters of the incremental ADC. A second combiner generates an output word by addition of the second intermediate output word and the correction word.

Abstract: A system comprising a display and an ambient light sensing module, the ambient light sensing module being located beneath the display. The display comprises an array of light emitting diodes and a first polarizer located above the display. The sensing module comprises a first sensor and a second sensor, a second polarizer being located above the second sensor.

Abstract: An optical light sensing device includes a detector operable to detect a light wave. The optical light sensing device also includes an integration circuit that includes an operational amplifier that is operable to reduce or cancel dark currents generated at the detector.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided where the arrangement of a feedback resistor between a first branch and a second branch enables that a voltage is provided at an output terminal in an efficient way, this means with a high settling speed and a low current consumption. The feedback resistor is arranged between a reference node and the output terminal, where the reference node is connected to a current mirror. The circuit arrangement can be employed as a gate driver. Furthermore, a driver block and a method of driving a circuit arrangement are provided.

Abstract: A method of measuring light intensity comprising exposing a photodiode to light to cause the photodiode to provide a current of a first polarity, supplying said current to an integrator to integrate said current to provide an integrated output voltage, and comparing the output voltage with a threshold voltage. Charge packages of opposite polarity are applied to said first polarity to reset the integration voltage prior to the start of the integration time. At the end of the integration time, the photodiode is disconnected from said integrator and a reference voltage coupled to the integrator input, whilst a resistance is coupled into the circuit until the comparison signal switches. The comparison signal is monitored to measure a time between the end of the integration time and the switching of the comparison signal to provide a measure of a residual voltage.

Abstract: A comparator circuit includes an input stage with a set of differential current paths and a pair of differential input transistors connected to a pair of input terminals. An output stage includes an output current path between a first and a second supply terminal, an output transistor connected in the output current path and having a control terminal coupled to the set of differential current paths, and a comparator output connected to the output current path. An auxiliary stage includes an auxiliary current path between the supply terminals, an auxiliary current source, a first auxiliary transistor connected in the auxiliary current path and having a control terminal connected to the control terminal of the output transistor, and a voltage follower with a second auxiliary transistor and a third auxiliary transistor.