Abstract: A submersible electronic device such as a waterproof cellular telephone may be provided with an image sensor. The image sensor may capture images of underwater objects. Control circuitry in the submersible electronic device may adjust image contrast and color balance based on information from sensors and other information. The electronic device may have an ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may be a color ambient light sensor and may be used in measuring ambient lighting conditions above water and underwater. A depth sensor may be used in measuring the depth of the image sensor and other components of the electronic device underwater. Information on the depth of the image sensor, information on the distance of an underwater object to the image sensor, and angular orientation information for the electronic device and image sensor may be used in color balancing an image.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a display with an array of pixels configured to display images for a user. The electronic device may have an ambient light sensor for gathering ambient light information. Control circuitry in the electronic device may control the array of pixels while gathering measurements with the ambient light sensor. This allows the control circuitry to determine which portion of each ambient light sensor measurement is due to ambient light exposure and which portion of each ambient light sensor measurement is due to stray light from the array of pixels. The control circuitry can then remove the stray light contribution to the ambient light sensor measurements to produce corrected readings of ambient light levels. Display adjustments such as display brightness changes and color changes can be made using ambient light readings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder includes a spindle and an encoded pattern disposed around a circumference of the spindle. The encoded pattern may include one or more surface features that create a direction-dependent reflective region.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a color ambient light sensor. The color ambient light sensor may be used to measure an ambient light spectrum over a wavelength range of interest. Control circuitry in the electronic device can take actions based on the measured ambient light spectrum such as adjusting the brightness and color cast of content on a display. A display may have a display cover layer. The color ambient light sensor can be mounted under the display cover layer and may receive ambient light through the display cover layer. The color ambient light sensor may have a tunable wavelength filter such as an electrically adjustable Fabry-Perot resonator. A light collimator may be interposed between the display cover layer and the Fabry-Perot resonator to collimate ambient light that is passed to the Fabry-Perot resonator. A light detector measures the light passing through the Fabry-Perot resonator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device having a proximity sensor for determining whether an object, such as a user's finger, is in proximity to or in contact with an input mechanism of the electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder includes a spindle and an encoded pattern disposed around a circumference of the spindle. The encoded pattern may include one or more surface features that create a direction-dependent reflective region.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may be a color ambient light sensor or a monochrome ambient light sensor. The electronic device may have a light-emitting component such as a display. During operation of the display, the display emits light. To reduce noise due to the emitted light while measuring ambient light, the ambient light sensor may have optical structures such as wave plates and polarizers. Theses optical structures may overlap light detectors. The optical structures may be configured to prevent ambient light from reaching a first of the light detectors while allowing ambient light to reach a second of the light detectors. The ambient light sensor may be configured to receive ambient light that has passed thorough an inactive area of a display or that has passed through a pixel array in an active area of a display.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with an ambient light sensor. The ambient light sensor may be a color ambient light sensor or a monochrome ambient light sensor. The electronic device may have a light-emitting component such as a display. During operation of the display, the display emits light. To reduce noise due to the emitted light while measuring ambient light, the ambient light sensor may have optical structures such as wave plates and polarizers. Theses optical structures may overlap light detectors. The optical structures may be configured to prevent ambient light from reaching a first of the light detectors while allowing ambient light to reach a second of the light detectors. The ambient light sensor may be configured to receive ambient light that has passed thorough an inactive area of a display or that has passed through a pixel array in an active area of a display.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of pixels that form an active area and may have an inactive area that runs along an edge of the active area. An opaque layer may be formed on an inner surface of a display cover layer in the inactive area of the display or may be formed on another transparent layer in the electronic device. An optical component window may be formed from the opening and may be aligned with an ambient light sensor such as a color ambient light sensor. The color ambient light sensor may have an infrared-blocking filter to block infrared light such as infrared light emitted by an infrared-light-emitting diode in the device. A light diffuser layer, light guide, and other structures may also be included in the ambient light sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device may be operated in ambient light. The electronic device may have a color ambient light sensor that is configured to produce color ambient light sensor data based on the ambient light. The electronic device may also have a flicker sensor that has a faster response time than the color ambient light sensor and that is used in detecting dynamic changes in the ambient light. Control circuitry in the electronic device may analyze flicker sensor data to identify the number of light sources producing the ambient light. The control circuitry may apply a frequency transform to the flicker sensor data or make measurements with the flicker sensor in multiple directions. Based on this information, the control circuitry may identify the number of light sources and may use this information in retrieving an ambient light spectrum associated with the ambient light using the color ambient light sensor data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder comprises an elongated shaft and a plurality of markings axially disposed around a circumference of the elongated shaft. The optical encoder also includes an optical sensor. In embodiments, the optical sensor includes an emitter and an array of photodiodes. The emitter and the array of photodiodes may be radially aligned with respect to the elongated shaft or axially aligned with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electronic device having a proximity sensor for determining whether an object, such as a user's finger, is in proximity to or in contact with an input mechanism of the electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a display mounted in a housing. The display may have an array of pixels configured to display images. A display cover layer may overlap the array of pixels. A light sensor such as a color ambient light sensor may be mounted in the electronic device and may receive ambient light through an ambient light sensor window region in the display cover layer or other portion of the electronic device. A diffuser may be located between the display cover layer and the ambient light sensor. The diffuser may have a substrate such as a glass substrate. A lens layer may be supported by the substrate. The lens layer may be formed from a layer of ultraviolet-light-curable polymer in which an array of lenses has been formed. An infrared-light-blocking-and-visible-light-transmitting filter may be used to reduce infrared light reaching the ambient light sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device may be provided with a color ambient light sensor. The color ambient light sensor may be used to measure an ambient light spectrum over a wavelength range of interest. Control circuitry in the electronic device can take actions based on the measured ambient light spectrum such as adjusting the brightness and color cast of content on a display. A display may have a display cover layer. The color ambient light sensor can be mounted under the display cover layer and may receive ambient light through the display cover layer. The color ambient light sensor may have a tunable wavelength filter such as an electrically adjustable Fabry-Perot resonator. A light collimator may be interposed between the display cover layer and the Fabry-Perot resonator to collimate ambient light that is passed to the Fabry-Perot resonator. A light detector measures the light passing through the Fabry-Perot resonator.

Abstract: A portable electronic device include one or more electrodes for calculating distances and rotational angles between the device and the user is disclosed. Based on the calculated distances and rotational angles, a physical activity of the user can be determined. Additionally, the calculated distances and rotational angles can be used for compensation of optical artifacts in one or more signals detected by the device. User movement or physical activity can introduce optical artifacts, which can lead to erroneous determination of the one or more characteristics. The calculated distances and rotational angles can be used to reduce or remove the optical artifacts, leading to a more accurate determination of the one or more characteristics of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting the fit of a wearable electronic device are disclosed. In many embodiments, a tensioner associated with a wearable electronic device can control one or more actuators that are mechanically coupled to either the housing or to a band attached to the wearable electronic device. In one example, in response to a signal to increase the tightness of the band, the tensioner can cause the actuator(s) to increase the tension within the band.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body, a housing component, a band operable to attach the body to a body part of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing component. The force sensor is operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted between the body part of the user and the housing component. A processing unit of the wearable electronic device receives the force signal from the force sensor and determines the force exerted on the housing component based thereon. The processing unit may use that force to determine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on a cover glass, and/or to perform various other actions.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body, a housing component, a band operable to attach the body to a body part of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing component. The force sensor is operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted between the body part of the user and the housing component. A processing unit of the wearable electronic device receives the force signal from the force sensor and determines the force exerted on the housing component based thereon. The processing unit may use that force to determine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on a cover glass, and/or to perform various other actions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a sunscreen detector for use with portable device, such as a mobile and/or wearable device. One variation of a sunscreen detector comprises an illumination system that is configured to illuminate a target skin area with ultraviolet and/or infrared spectrum light and a sensor system that is configured to detect the amount of ultraviolet and/or infrared spectrum light that is reflected from the target skin area. The sunscreen detector is configured to analyze the data collected by the sensor system to generate a notification to the user as to whether they should apply sunscreen.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device includes a body, a housing component, a band operable to attach the body to a body part of a user, and a force sensor coupled to the housing component. The force sensor is operable to produce a force signal based on a force exerted between the body part of the user and the housing component. A processing unit of the wearable electronic device receives the force signal from the force sensor and determines the force exerted on the housing component based thereon. The processing unit may use that force to determine a tightness of the band, determine health information for the user, adjust determined force exerted on a cover glass, and/or to perform various other actions.