Abstract: A mobile communications device that does not have a physical opening on the screen for audio is operable to transmit a signal to which a photoacoustic effect can be employed by interaction with water vapor in an ear of a user so as to generate audio in the ear or the immediate vicinity of the user's ear. Related methods, apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

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: The semiconductor device comprises an emitter of electromagnetic radiation, a photodetector enabling a detection of electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength, a filter having a passband including the specific wavelength, the filter being arranged on the photodetector, the emitter and/or the filter being electrically tunable to the specific wavelength, and a circuit configured to determine a time elapsed between emission and reception of a signal that is emitted by the emitter and then received by the photodetector.

Abstract: A mobile communications device that does not have a physical opening on the screen for audio is operable to transmit a signal to which a photoacoustic effect can be employed by interaction with water vapor in an ear of a user so as to generate audio in the ear or the immediate vicinity of the user's ear. Related methods, apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for an optical monitoring system comprises a driver circuit which is configured to generate at least one driving signal for driving the light source. A detector terminal is arranged for receiving a detector current from an optical detector. A gain stage is connected at its input side to the driver circuit for receiving the driving signal and generates a noise signal depending on the driving signal. A processing unit is configured to generate an output signal depending on the detector current and the noise signal.

Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises an emitter of electromagnetic radiation, a photodetector enabling a detection of electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength, a filter having a passband including the specific wavelength, the filter being arranged on the photodetector, the emitter and/or the filter being electrically tunable to the specific wavelength, and a circuit configured to determine a time elapsed between emission and reception of a signal that is emitted by the emitter and then received by the photodetector.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for an optical monitoring system comprises a driver circuit configured to generate at least one driving signal for driving a light source and a detector terminal for receiving a detector current. The circuit arrangement further comprises a current source configured and arranged to generate at the detector terminal a reduction current. The reduction current has an amplitude which is given by a base value whenever none of the least one driving signal assumes a value suitable for activating the light source and by a sum of the base value and a reduction value otherwise. The circuit arrangement also comprises a processing unit configured to generate an output signal depending on a combination of the detector current and the reduction current.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for an optical monitoring system comprises a driver circuit which is configured to generate at least one driving signal for driving the light source. A detector terminal is arranged for receiving a detector current from an optical detector. A gain stage is connected at its input side to the driver circuit for receiving the driving signal and generates a noise signal depending on the driving signal. A processing unit is configured to generate an output signal depending on the detector current and the noise signal.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for an optical monitoring system comprises a driver circuit configured to generate at least one driving signal for driving a light source and a detector terminal for receiving a detector current. The circuit arrangement further comprises a current source configured and arranged to generate at the detector terminal a reduction current. The reduction current has an amplitude which is given by a base value whenever none of the least one driving signal assumes a value suitable for activating the light source and by a sum of the base value and a reduction value otherwise. The circuit arrangement also comprises a processing unit configured to generate an output signal depending on a combination of the detector current and the reduction current.

Abstract: A module circuit (11) comprises a sensor terminal (43) for feeding a sensor signal (SP) and a clock terminal (41) for feeding a pulse width-modulated clock signal (ST) having a first and a second clock phase (A, B). A signal processing circuit (40) of the module circuit (11) is coupled on the input side to the sensor terminal (43) and the clock terminal (41) and is designed to provide an output signal (SAL) dependent on the sensor signal (SP) that can be tapped in the first clock phase (A) and independent of the sensor signal (SP) that can be tapped in the second clock phase (B).

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.

Abstract: A method for gesture detection comprises pre-processing and main-processing steps, wherein the pre-processing comprises emitting light using a light emitting device and generating of directional sensor signals as a function of time by detecting a fraction of the emitted light reflected by means of a movable object using a directional light sensor array). The main-processing comprises calculating coordinates as a function of time by using the directional sensor signals, being indicative of a position of the object with reference to a plane parallel to a principal plane of the light sensor array, and detecting a movement of the object depending on the timing of the coordinates.

Abstract: An optical sensor circuit comprises an optical sensor (DET) designed to provide a sensor signal indicative of light incident on the optical sensor (DET). A clock terminal (CLK) is used to receive a clocked control signal comprising high and low states. A controller unit (CU) is connected to the optical sensor (DET) and to the clock terminal (CLK). The controller unit (CU) is designed to process the sensor signal as a color signal (CTS) in a first mode if the clocked control signal is in high state, and process the sensor signal as an ambient light signal (ALS) in a second mode if the clocked control signal is in low state, and further designed to generate a driving signal (PWM) to drive a light emitting device (LED) to be connected at a control terminal (OUT). The driving signal (PWM) depends on the color and ambient light signal (CTS, ALS).

Abstract: A light sensor arrangement comprising a stack having a light sensor, an optical filter, and a mask between the light sensor and the optical filter. In particular, the light sensor comprises a light sensitive surface. The mask comprises an upper opaque base facing away from the light sensitive surface and having first apertures each confining an optical path in the mask, respectively. The mask further comprises a lower opaque base facing the light sensitive surface and having second apertures, each confining the optical path in the mask, respectively. The upper and lower base are made from metal. The optical paths are designed for allowing incident light to reach the light sensitive surface when having an angle of incidence from an allowed interval of angles determined by the size of the first and second apertures and defined with respect to an optical axis of the optical paths, respectively. A spectrometer is shown comprising at least light sensor arrangements of the aforementioned kind.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement, in particular for a non-contacting measurement, comprises a signal generator (SRC) which is connected to a first electrode (EL1). A first detector (Det1) is connected to the first electrode (EL1), and is designed for a capacitive measurement by means of the first electrode (EL1). A second detector (Det2) is connected to a second electrode (EL2) and is designed to use the first and the second electrodes (EL1, EL2) to carry out a capacitive measurement. A method for operation of the sensor arrangement is likewise specified.

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.

Abstract: A driver circuit (11) for a current regulator (13), which can be coupled in series to an electrical load (14), comprises a control circuit (12) for controlling the current regulator (13). The control circuit (12) is designed to determine at least two target current values (SW1) for the current regulator current (IS1) of the current regulator (13) for at least two points in time in an operation phase on the basis of a signal (VS1, STR) that can be tapped at the current regulator (13).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a charging circuit for a charge accumulator comprises a first terminal (A1) for supplying a charging voltage (UC) and for connecting the charge accumulator (SC) connected to a reference potential terminal (10), a second terminal (A2) for providing a load voltage (UD) and for connecting an electrical load (D1), a control assembly (ST) which is coupled to the first and the second terminals (A1, A2) and has a signal output (A3) for providing a first charge state signal (S1) and a test output (TA) for providing at test signal (on), and a current source (I1) that is coupled to the second terminal (A2), wherein the first charge state signal (S1) is provided depending on a value of an additional voltage (U12) between the first and the second terminals (A1, A2) and depending on the test signal (on), and wherein the charging voltage (UC) is supplied depending on the first charge state signal (S1). The invention also relates to a method for charging a charge accumulator.

Abstract: A method for gesture detection comprises pre-processing and main-processing steps, wherein the pre-processing comprises emitting light using a light emitting device and generating of directional sensor signals as a function of time by detecting a fraction of the emitted light reflected by means of a movable object using a directional light sensor array). The main-processing comprises calculating coordinates as a function of time by using the directional sensor signals, being indicative of a position of the object with reference to a plane parallel to a principal plane of the light sensor array, and detecting a movement of the object depending on the timing of the coordinates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the current limitation of a load current, in particular the load current of a flash means. In one step, first a supply voltage (VBAT) is provided. Then a load current (I) is set depending on the supply voltage (VBAT) for supplying the flash means (LED) with power by incrementally reducing the load current (I) until the supply voltage (VBAT) is greater than a threshold value (Vlow). The load current intensity (Imin) of the set load current (I) can be stored in a register (RAM) for the subsequent triggering of the flash means (LED) in a main flash phase (2) with the load current intensity (Imin) stored in the register (RAM). In addition, the invention relates to a circuit having current limitation of a load current of a flash means.