Abstract: Early detection of Room Temperature Data Retention (RTDR) phenomena in programmed metablocks of data storage devices. In one embodiment, a memory controller includes a memory interface configured to interface with a non-volatile memory and a controller. The controller is configured to program a metablock of the non-volatile memory. Programming the metablock includes assigning the metablock to one of a plurality of thermal region tags (“TRTs”) associated with a respective one of a plurality of thermal regions. Each TRT is associated with a respective set of read parameters. The controller is further configured to perform a periodic TRT update to detect a RTDR phenomena associated with the metablock. In response to determining that the threshold associated with the detection of a RTDR phenomena has been exceeded, the controller reassigns the metablock to a different one of the TRTs.

Abstract: An optical device includes an emitter for emitting pulses of light, a detector for detecting light emitted by the emitter and reflected from one or more targets, and one or more processors. The detector includes a plurality of detection zones covered by a lens arranged to direct incident light onto the plurality of zones. The detector is configured to provide an output signal from each detection zone. The one or more processors are configured to process the output signals, dynamically set a signal threshold for the one or more targets, filter out output signals having an amplitude below the signal threshold, determine a distance to the one or more targets, group the one or more targets based on the distance to each target, and set the signal threshold for each group of targets based on the output signals of the one or more targets in the group of targets.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive device configured to determine an ambient radiation intensity is disclosed. The device includes at least one set of optical filters comprising: a first optical filter having a first passband spanning a portion of a spectrum associated with a radiation-emitting device and a portion of an ambient radiation spectrum; and a second optical filter having a second passband spanning a portion of the spectrum associated with the radiation-emitting device and a portion of the ambient radiation spectrum, the second passband different to the first passband. The device also includes processing circuitry configured to determine, from an intensity of incident radiation sensed using the first and second optical filters and based on the spectrum associated with the radiation-emitting device, a contribution of ambient radiation to the intensity of incident radiation sensed using the first and second optical filters.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive device configured to determine an ambient radiation intensity is disclosed. The device includes at least one set of optical filters comprising: a first optical filter having a first passband spanning a portion of a spectrum associated with a radiation-emitting device and a portion of an ambient radiation spectrum; and a second optical filter having a second passband spanning a portion of the spectrum associated with the radiation-emitting device and a portion of the ambient radiation spectrum, the second passband different to the first passband. The device also includes processing circuitry configured to determine, from an intensity of incident radiation sensed using the first and second optical filters and based on the spectrum associated with the radiation-emitting device, a contribution of ambient radiation to the intensity of incident radiation sensed using the first and second optical filters.

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: A method of measuring a distance using a time of flight sensor comprising a substantially transparent cover covering a light emitter and one or more photodetectors. The method comprises emitting a series of pulses of light from the light emitter; and using the one or more photodetectors to obtain a distribution of times at which at least one photodetector of the one or more photodetectors detected photons after each emission of the series of pulses of light. If the distribution of times comprises only a single peak, the method further comprises analysing the single peak to determine if the single peak includes counts of photons reflected from a target. If the single peak includes counts of photons reflected from a target, the method further comprises measuring the separation between a reference time and a point of the single peak.

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: Time of Flight Sensor A method of measuring optical crosstalk in a time of flight sensor, which comprises a substantially transparent cover covering a light emitter and one or more photodetectors. The method comprises emitting a series of pulses of light from the light emitter; and using the one or more photodetectors to obtain a distribution of times at which at least one photodetector of the one or more photodetectors detected photons after each emission of the series of pulses of light. The method further comprises recording one or more parameters of the earliest peak if the distribution comprises two or more separate peaks.

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: 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 for determining dynamically the intensity of the reflection from a transmissive cover and neutralizing it so as to improve the accuracy of depth measurements. Depth measurements of light modulation at multiple frequencies—which also can be used for depth disambiguation—are obtained and used to decouple the information to estimate the intensity of the signal reflected by the transmissive cover itself or a smudge on the transmissive cover, and the intensity of the signal reflected by the target object.

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: Modulated light is generated using a light source of a sensor module. Using a photodetector of the sensor module, an intensity of modulated light reflected from an object towards the photo detector is measured over a period of time. An electronic control device bins the measured intensity of the reflected modulated light according to a plurality of temporal bins, determines a first temporal bin having the greatest intensity among the plurality of temporal bins, and estimates a distance between the sensor module and the object based on a first temporal bin, and one or more additional temporal bins of the plurality of temporal bins.

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 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.