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: An optical sensor. The optical sensor comprises a light source, first and second light sensors, and a controller. The light source has a field of illumination. The first and second light sensors have respective first and second fields of view. The intersection of the field of illumination and the first field of view forms a first overlap region. The intersection of the field of illumination and the second field of view forms a second overlap region. When a surface is within one or both of the first and second overlap region, the surface reflects light from the light source to the respective light sensor. The controller is configured to determine a first distance measurement to a surface within one or both of the first and second overlap regions based on the ratio of reflected light from the light source received by the first sensor and reflected light from the light source received by the second sensor. A similar ultrasonic sensor is also disclosed.

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 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: An apparatus comprising: an optical emitter (104) mounted to a substrate (202); a transparent emitter housing portion (204) enclosing the optical emitter; a sensor (106) for detecting light, the sensor mounted to the substrate; a transparent sensor housing portion (206) enclosing the sensor; wherein the transparent emitter housing portion and the transparent sensor housing portion are horizontally separated on the substrate by an air gap.