Abstract: A pixel for an ambient light and/or color sensor includes a plurality of pinned photodiodes. The pixel also includes a floating diffusion region. A ratio of an active area of the plurality of pinned photodiodes to an area of the floating diffusion region is greater than 150.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method and apparatus that can be used to adjust for distorted ambient light readings caused by the ambient light sensor being located behind the display screen. The strategy of the disclosure relies, at least in part, on spectral decomposition of ambient light measurements into independent sources (e.g., red, green, and blue display components of an Organic Light Emitting Diode (“OLED”) display screen and ambient light). Following the spectral decomposition technique, a more accurate ambient light measurement can be obtained in some instances. This technique enables determinations such as ambient lux and correlated color temperature independent of the content displayed on the screen.

Abstract: Techniques are described for portable computing devices and other apparatus that include an ambient light sensor. The techniques can be particularly advantageous for situations in which the ambient light sensor is disposed behind a display screen of a host device such that ambient light detected by the sensor passes through the light emitting display before being detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A method for estimating ambient light at a display screen of a device. The method comprises determining one or more expected colour values of display screen output light, detecting light with a sensor positioned behind the display screen, determining one or more colour values of the detected light, determining a difference between the one or more expected colour values of the display screen output light and the one or more colour values of the detected light, and, from the determined difference, estimating a first portion of the detected light corresponding to the display screen output light and a second portion of the detected light corresponding to ambient light.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display screen, an ambient light sensor disposed behind the display screen, and an electronic control unit operable to control a brightness of the display screen based on a duty cycle of a PWM signal. The electronic control unit is operable to sample an output of the ambient light sensor, identify a pair of consecutive samples of the ambient light sensor output that represent a greatest difference in magnitudes of their values, and to estimate a brightness of the display screen based on the difference.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method and apparatus that can be used to adjust for distorted ambient light readings caused by the ambient light sensor being located behind the display screen. The strategy of the disclosure relies, at least in part, on spectral decomposition of ambient light measurements into independent sources (e.g., red, green, and blue display components of an Organic Light Emitting Diode (“OLED”) display screen and ambient light). Following the spectral decomposition technique, a more accurate ambient light measurement can be obtained in some instances. This technique enables determinations such as ambient lux and correlated color temperature independent of the content displayed on the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display screen, and an optical proximity sensor module disposed behind the display screen. The optical proximity sensor module includes a light emitter operable to produce light having a wavelength for transmission through the display screen toward a target object, and a light sensor operable to sense light reflected by the target object and having the wavelength. The optical proximity sensor module can includes means for reducing a maximum energy density of a light beam produced by the light emitter. The means for reducing the maximum energy density of the light beam is disposed between the light emitter and the display screen so as to intersect the light beam produced by the light emitter. In some cases, there are multiple light emitters collectively operable to provide sufficient optical energy for proximity sensing without producing a visible spot on the display screen.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display screen, an ambient light sensor disposed behind the display screen, and an electronic control unit. An integration time of the ambient light sensor is unsynchronized to a frame rate of the display screen. The electronic control unit is operable to control a brightness of the display screen based on a duty cycle of a PWM blanking signal, wherein at least one OFF time of the PWM blanking signal occurs fully within a first integration period of the ambient light sensor, and wherein at least one other integration period ON time of the PWM blanking signal occurs fully during an ON time of the PWM blanking signal. The electronic control unit is further operable to acquire samples of an output of the ambient light sensor, to identify a highest value and a lowest value from among a consecutive group of the samples, and to estimate a magnitude of an ambient light signal based at least in part on the highest value and the lowest value.

Abstract: A method for estimating ambient light at a display screen of a device. The method comprises determining one or more expected colour values of display screen output light, detecting light with a sensor positioned behind the display screen, determining one or more colour values of the detected light, determining a difference between the one or more expected colour values of the display screen output light and the one or more colour values of the detected light, and, from the determined difference, estimating a first portion of the detected light corresponding to the display screen output light and a second portion of the detected light corresponding to ambient light.

Abstract: Techniques are described for portable computing devices and other apparatus that include an ambient light sensor. The techniques can be particularly advantageous for situations in which the ambient light sensor is disposed behind a display screen of a host device such that ambient light detected by the sensor passes through the light emitting display before being detected by the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display screen, an ambient light sensor disposed behind the display screen, and an electronic control unit operable to control a brightness of the display screen based on a duty cycle of a PWM signal. The electronic control unit is operable to sample an output of the ambient light sensor, identify a pair of consecutive samples of the ambient light sensor output that represent a greatest difference in magnitudes of their values, and to estimate a brightness of the display screen based on the difference.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a display screen, an ambient light sensor disposed behind the display screen, and an electronic control unit. An integration time of the ambient light sensor is unsynchronized to a frame rate of the display screen. The electronic control unit is operable to control a brightness of the display screen based on a duty cycle of a PWM blanking signal, wherein at least one OFF time of the PWM blanking signal occurs fully within a first integration period of the ambient light sensor, and wherein at least one other integration period ON time of the PWM blanking signal occurs fully during an ON time of the PWM blanking signal. The electronic control unit is further operable to acquire samples of an output of the ambient light sensor, to identify a highest value and a lowest value from among a consecutive group of the samples, and to estimate a magnitude of an ambient light signal based at least in part on the highest value and the lowest value.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques that can be useful for situations in which an ambient light sensor is disposed behind a display screen of a host device such that ambient light detected by the sensor passes through the light emitting display before being detected by the sensor.