Abstract: A method of sensing a level of ambient light in an electronic device comprising sensing a combined light level of ambient light and light from the display, integrating this to determine an integrated light level, determining an integrated display light level, and compensating the integrated light level using the integrated display light level to determine the ambient light level. The device modulates the display between first and second brightness levels and determining the integrated display light level comprises sensing a combination of light from the display and ambient light when at each of the first and second brightness levels, determining a difference, and applying a calibration value to the difference to determine the integrated display light level.

Abstract: A device comprises a data terminal, a clock terminal and a digital circuitry. The data terminal is configured to be connected to a serial data line. The clock terminal is configured to be connected to a serial clock line for receiving a clock signal. The digital circuitry is coupled to the data terminal and to the clock terminal. The digital circuitry is configured to operate using a time base signal provided via a further clock terminal to the device or using an internal clock signal that is generated by an internal oscillator of the device. Furthermore, a method for operating a device is described.

Abstract: A device comprises a data terminal, a clock terminal and a digital circuitry. The data terminal is configured to be connected to a serial data line. The clock terminal is configured to be connected to a serial clock line for receiving a clock signal. The digital circuitry is coupled to the data terminal and to the clock terminal. The digital circuitry is configured to operate using a time base signal provided via a further clock terminal to the device or using an internal clock signal that is generated by an internal oscillator of the device. Furthermore, a method for operating a device is described.

Abstract: A light sensor is disclosed. The light sensor comprises a first pixel and a second pixel. The light sensor comprises measurement circuitry. The first pixel is configured to accumulate a first charge and the second pixel is configured to accumulate a second charge when the light sensor is exposed to light. The first pixel is configured to trigger the measurement circuitry to measure the second charge when the first charge reaches a threshold capacity of the first pixel. Also disclosed is an active pixel sensor comprising the light sensor, an image sensor and a device incorporating the light sensor.

Abstract: A method of sensing a level of ambient light in an electronic device comprising sensing a combined light level of ambient light and light from the display, integrating this to determine an integrated light level, determining an integrated display light level, and compensating the integrated light level using the integrated display light level to determine the ambient light level. The device modulates the display between first and second brightness levels and determining the integrated display light level comprises sensing a combination of light from the display and ambient light when at each of the first and second brightness levels, determining a difference, and applying a calibration value to the difference to determine the integrated display light level.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement comprises an integrator with an integrator input, a sensor coupled to the integrator input, a balancing current generator coupled to the integrator input and a compensation current generator coupled to the integrator input.

Abstract: A method is proposed for sensing light being incident on an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a display and a light sensor arrangement which is mounted behind the display such as to receive incident light through the display. The method comprises the step of repeatedly switching the display on and off depending on a modulation signal, wherein a sub-frame is defined by an on-state and a consecutive off-state of the display. The modulation signal depends on at least one modulation parameter. In a first sub-frame a display brightness is set to a first level depending on a first value of the at least one modulation parameter. Then a first frame count is determined by integrating the incident light by means of the light sensor arrangement during the first sub-frame. In a second sub-frame the display brightness is set to a second level depending on a second value of the at least one modulation parameter.

Abstract: The proposed concept relates to an optical sensor arrangement comprising an optical sensor with an integrated circuit arranged in or on a substrate. The substrate comprises at least a first surface area and a second surface area. At least one optically active sensor component is arranged on or in the substrate of the first surface area. The optically active sensor component is arranged for emitting and/or detecting light of a desired wavelength range. Optically inactive sensor circuitry is arranged on or in the substrate of the second surface area. A display panel comprises an active display area and a non-active display area, wherein the non-active display area comprises a material which is optically transparent in the desired wavelength range and wherein the non-active display area at least partly frames the active display layer.

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.

Abstract: A method is proposed for sensing light being incident on an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a display and a light sensor arrangement which is mounted behind the display such as to receive incident light through the display. The method comprises the step of repeatedly switching the display on and off depending on a modulation signal, wherein a sub-frame is defined by an on-state and a consecutive off-state of the display. The modulation signal depends on at least one modulation parameter. In a first sub-frame a display brightness is set to a first level depending on a first value of the at least one modulation parameter. Then a first frame count is determined by integrating the incident light by means of the light sensor arrangement during the first sub-frame. In a second sub-frame the display brightness is set to a second level depending on a second value of the at least one modulation parameter.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement comprises an integrator with an integrator input, a sensor coupled to the integrator input, a balancing current generator coupled to the integrator input and a compensation current generator coupled to the integrator input.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor arrangement comprises a first sensor unit with a first emitter and a first detector and a second sensor unit with a second emitter and/or a second detector. The first detector is configured to detect light being emitted by the first emitter and, if applicable, by the second emitter, and being at least partially reflected. If applicable, the second detector is configured to detect light being emitted by the first emitter and being at least partially reflected. A distance between the first emitter and the first detector is, if applicable, less than a distance between the first detector and the second emitter and, if applicable, less than a distance between the first emitter and the second detector.

Abstract: The proposed concept relates to an optical sensor arrangement comprising an optical sensor with an integrated circuit arranged in or on a substrate. The substrate comprises at least a first surface area and a second surface area. At least one optically active sensor component is arranged on or in the substrate of the first surface area. The optically active sensor component is arranged for emitting and/or detecting light of a desired wavelength range. Optically inactive sensor circuitry is arranged on or in the substrate of the second surface area. A display panel comprises an active display area and a non-active display area, wherein the non-active display area comprises a material which is optically transparent in the desired wavelength range and wherein the non-active display area at least partly frames the active display layer.