Patents by Inventor Josef Kriebernegg

Josef Kriebernegg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220375432
    Abstract: A method of operating an optical proximity sensor of a computer device having a display, where the optical proximity sensor is located beneath or otherwise adjacent to the display. The method comprises obtaining a vertical synchronization signal from a display driver, and synchronizing periodic illumination of a light emitter of the optical proximity sensor with the vertical synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Bernhard Greimel-Làngover, Christian Halper, Helmut Theiler, Herbert Lenhard, Josef Kriebernegg, Manuel Hoerbinger, Peter Bliem, Whitney Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11410631
    Abstract: A method of operating an optical proximity sensor of a computer device having a display, where the optical proximity sensor is located beneath or otherwise adjacent to the display. The method comprises obtaining a vertical synchronization signal from a display driver, and synchronizing periodic illumination of a light emitter of the optical proximity sensor with the vertical synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: ams International AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Greimel-Làngover, Christian Halper, Helmut Theiler, Herbert Lenhard, Josef Kriebernegg, Manuel Hoerbinger, Peter Bliem, Whitney Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20220109442
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jian Liu, Klaus Schmidegg, Whitney Hernandez, Helmut Theiler, Josef Kriebernegg, George Richard Kelly, Matt Kroese
  • Patent number: 11294034
    Abstract: A proximity sensor (1) with crosstalk compensation comprises a transmitting circuit (10) to transmit a signal to be reflected at a target (2) and a disturbing object (3), and a receiving circuit (20) to receive a reflected signal (RS) having a useful component (RSI) and a noise component (RS2). The receiving circuit (20) comprises an output node (A20) to provide an output signal (Vout2) in dependence from the distance of the proximity sensor (1) from the target (2). The receiving circuit (20) comprises a crosstalk compensation circuit (100) comprising a first charging circuit (110) to provide a first charge for for coarse crosstalk compensation and a second charging circuit (120) to provide a second charge for fine crosstalk compensation. A control circuit (30) sets an amount of the first and the second charge so that the output signal (Vout2) of the crosstalk compensation circuit (100) is dependent on the useful component (RSI) and independent on the noise component (RS2) of the reflected signal (RS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Josef Kriebernegg, Chandra Nyshadham, Rahul Thottathil, Hafeez Koonari Thoombath
  • Patent number: 11125611
    Abstract: A method for light sensing senses the light during a sub-frame of a picture frame operated display. The sensing is performed during an adaptive observation window which is determined in dependence on the duty cycle of the operation of the display. A calculation that uses the light sensed during the observation window and the light sensed during the sub-frame delivers a value indicative of the amount of received ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Helmut Theiler, Josef Kriebernegg
  • Patent number: 11114025
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Greimel-Längauer, Joachim Lechner, Josef Kriebernegg
  • Publication number: 20210256935
    Abstract: A method of operating an optical proximity sensor of a computer device having a display, where the optical proximity sensor is located beneath or otherwise adjacent to the display. The method comprises obtaining a vertical synchronization signal from a display driver, and synchronizing periodic illumination of a light emitter of the optical proximity sensor with the vertical synchronization signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Bernhard Greimel, Christian Halper, Helmut Theiler, Herbert Lenhard, Josef Kriebernegg, Manuel Hoerbinger, Peter Bliem, Whitney Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11067436
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Greimel-Längauer, Franz Lechner, Josef Kriebernegg, Herbert Lenhard, Manuel Hoerbinger, Dan Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20210199768
    Abstract: An optical device (306) includes an internal cavity and an emitter (102) disposed in the internal cavity (210). The emitter is operable to emit a first light wave (220). The optical device also includes a detector (104) disposed in the internal cavity. The detector is operable to detect a second light wave (225) that is based on the first light wave. The second light wave is susceptible to being coupled with an undesired light wave (235) that is based on the first light wave. The optical device further includes an interference filter (310) disposed on the detector. The interference filter has a filter property that causes the interference filter to attenuate the interfering light wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventors: Matt KROESE, Gerhard EILMSTEINER, Josef KRIEBERNEGG, Desislava OPPEL
  • Patent number: 11022487
    Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement comprises a photodiode (11), an integrator (12) with an integrator input (15) coupled to the photodiode (11), a comparator (13) with a first input (18) coupled to an integrator output (16) of the integrator (12), and a reference capacitor circuit (14) that is coupled to the integrator input (15) and is designed to provide a charge package to the integrator input (15). In a start phase (A), charge packages are provided to the integrator input (15), until a comparator input voltage (VIN) at the first input (18) of the comparator (13) crosses a comparator switching point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: AMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Greimel-Rechling, Peter Bliem, Herbert Lenhard, Josef Kriebernegg, Joachim Lechner, Christian Halper
  • Patent number: 10950187
    Abstract: A method is suggested for sensing light being incident on an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a display and a light sensor arrangement mounted behind the display such as to receive incident light through the display. The method comprises periodically switching the display on and off depending on a control signal, wherein a period is defined by a succession of an on-state and an off-state of the display. A sensor signal is generated by integrating the incident light by means of the light sensor arrangement for a total integration time comprising a number of periods. A first signal count is determined from the sensor signal being indicative of an amount of integrated incident light during an on-state. A second signal count is determined from the sensor signal being indicative of an amount of integrated incident light during an off-state. A third signal count is determined from the sensor signal being indicative of an amount of integrated incident light during the total integration time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventors: Josef Kriebernegg, Bernhard Greimel-Rechling, Herbert Lenhard, Peter Bliem, Joachim Lechner, Christian Halper, Manuel Hoerbinger
  • Publication number: 20210056896
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bernhard GREIMEL-LÄNGAUER, Joachim Lechner, Josef Kriebernegg
  • Publication number: 20200355550
    Abstract: A method for light sensing senses the light during a sub-frame (501) of a picture frame operated display. The sensing is performed during an adaptive observation window (c) which is determined in dependence on the duty cycle (DC) of the operation of the display. A calculation that uses the light sensed (OWP) during the observation window and the light sensed during the sub-frame (ALLP) delivers a value indicative of the amount of received ambient light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Helmut Theiler, Josef Kriebernegg
  • Publication number: 20200209055
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Bernhard Greimel-Längauer, Franz Lechner, Josef Kriebernegg, Herbert Lenhard, Manuel Hoerbinger, Dan Jacobs
  • Patent number: 10677898
    Abstract: An optical driver arrangement (10) comprises a comparator (11) and a pulse generator (15). The comparator (11) comprises a first input (12) for receiving a sensed output signal (S1) derived from a sensor signal (S2) generated by a light sensor (24), a second input (13) for receiving a reference signal (S3) and a comparator output (14) for providing a comparator signal (S4). The pulse generator (15) comprises a control input (16) coupled to the comparator output (14) and a generator output (22) for providing a driver signal (S5) to a light source (21). The driver signal (S4) comprises a series of at least one pulse and a parameter of the driver signal (S4) is controlled by the comparator signal (S4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Josef Kriebernegg, Christian Mautner, David Mehrl, Kerry Glover
  • Publication number: 20200150230
    Abstract: A proximity sensor (1) with crosstalk compensation comprises a transmitting circuit (10) to transmit a signal to be reflected at a target (2) and a disturbing object (3), and a receiving circuit (20) to receive a reflected signal (RS) having a useful component (RSI) and a noise component (RS2). The receiving circuit (20) comprises an output node (A20) to provide an output signal (Vout2) in dependence from the distance of the proximity sensor (1) from the target (2). The receiving circuit (20) comprises a crosstalk compensation circuit (100) comprising a first charging circuit (110) to provide a first charge for for coarse crosstalk compensation and a second charging circuit (120) to provide a second charge for fine crosstalk compensation. A control circuit (30) sets an amount of the first and the second charge so that the output signal (Vout2) of the crosstalk compensation circuit (100) is dependent on the useful component (RSI) and independent on the noise component (RS2) of the reflected signal (RS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Josef Kriebernegg, Chandra NYSHADHAM, Rahul Thottathil, Hafeez KOONARI THOOMBATH
  • Publication number: 20190392772
    Abstract: A method is suggested for sensing light being incident on an electronic device. The electronic device comprises a display and a light sensor arrangement mounted behind the display such as to receive incident light through the display. The method comprises periodically switching the display on and off depending on a control signal, wherein a period is defined by a succession of an on-state and an off-state of the display. A sensor signal is generated by integrating the incident light by means of the light sensor arrangement for a total integration time comprising a number of periods. A first signal count is determined from the sensor signal being indicative of an amount of integrated incident light during an on-state. A second signal count is determined from the sensor signal being indicative of an amount of integrated incident light during an off-state. A third signal count is determined from the sensor signal being indicative of an amount of integrated incident light during the total integration time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Josef Kriebernegg, Bernhard Greimel-Rechling, Herbert Lenhard, Peter Bliem, Joachim Lechner, Christian Halper, Manuel Hoerbinger
  • Publication number: 20190212194
    Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement comprises a photodiode (11), an integrator (12) with an integrator input (15) coupled to the photodiode (11), a comparator (13) with a first input (18) coupled to an integrator output (16) of the integrator (12), and a reference capacitor circuit (14) that is coupled to the integrator input (15) and is designed to provide a charge package to the integrator input (15). In a start phase (A), charge packages are provided to the integrator input (15), until a comparator input voltage (VIN) at the first input (18) of the comparator (13) crosses a comparator switching point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Bernhard Greimel-Rechling, Peter Bliem, Herbert Lenhard, Josef Kriebernegg, Joachim Lechner, Christian Halper
  • Patent number: 10101819
    Abstract: A control system for a gesture sensing arrangement with at least one sensor operates the sensor in a proximity mode. The control system receives data sets generated by the sensor and based on these data sets determines whether an object is present in a vicinity of the sensor. When an object is detected in the vicinity the control system operates the sensor in a gesture mode. Based on further data generated by the sensor the control system determines an end of a gesture, and operates the sensor in the proximity mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Peter Trattler, Josef Kriebernegg, Dan Jacobs, Christian Mautner
  • Patent number: 9835668
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement comprises a first terminal for connection to a voltage source, a second terminal for connection to a first current sink and a third terminal for supplying a potential signal. A first diode string can be connected to the voltage source on the anode side and to the first current sink on the cathode side. The third terminal can be coupled to the cathode side of the first diode string by a resistor. An adjustable reference current sink is coupled to the third terminal, for generating a reference current, and comparison unit coupled to the third terminal on the input side for providing a short-circuit detection signal in dependence on a difference between the potential signal and an adjustable reference voltage. The potential signal can be supplied in dependence on a first short-circuit voltage across the first diode string and in dependence on the reference current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: AMS AG
    Inventor: Josef Kriebernegg