Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for identifying a condition of a battery-powered device are presented. For example, a device may include a smoke detection sensor that detect smokes and, in response to detecting smoke, generate a smoke detection signal. The device may include test circuitry that tests an aspect of the battery-powered device. The device may include an audio output device that outputs a sound in response to the test circuitry determining a particular condition is present. The device may include a proximity detector that monitors for a wave movement of an object within a distance of the battery-powered device and generates a proximity detection signal when the proximity detector detects the wave movement performed by the object within the distance of the smoke detector device.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate is substantially transparent and includes a contact surface and an interface surface. The interface surface includes a plurality of electrical contacts. The device further includes a semiconductor die, which includes a plurality of connections, a first photo detector and a second photo detector. Each of the plurality of connections includes a connection bump formed thereon to couple to the plurality of electrical contacts of the interface surface of the substrate. The plurality of connections positioned relative to the first and second photo detectors to alter a directional response of at least one photo detector of the plurality of photo detectors.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for identifying a condition of a battery-powered device are presented. For example, a device may include a smoke detection sensor that detect smokes and, in response to detecting smoke, generate a smoke detection signal. The device may include test circuitry that tests an aspect of the battery-powered device. The device may include an audio output device that outputs a sound in response to the test circuitry determining a particular condition is present. The device may include a proximity detector that monitors for a wave movement of an object within a distance of the battery-powered device and generates a proximity detection signal when the proximity detector detects the wave movement performed by the object within the distance of the smoke detector device.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for identifying a low battery charge of a smoke detector are presented. For example, a device may include a smoke detection sensor that detect smokes and, in response to detecting smoke, generate a smoke detection signal. The device may include battery test circuitry that tests a charge level of a battery installed in the smoke detector device. The device may include an audio output device that outputs a low battery chirp in response to the battery test circuitry determining the charge level of the battery installed in the smoke detector device is low. Also, the device may include a proximity detector that monitors for a wave movement of an object within a distance of the smoke detector device and generates a proximity detection signal when the proximity detector detects the wave movement performed by an object within the distance of the smoke detector device.

Abstract: A capacitor is charged synchronously with the beginning of an ON portion of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to generate a voltage across the capacitor using charging current sourced from an inductor on a primary side of a transformer. The voltage is supplied as a supply voltage to control circuitry in an integrated circuit used to generate the pulse width modulated signal. The charging is stopped when either the charging current goes above a predetermined charging current level or when the capacitor voltage goes above a predetermined capacitor voltage.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and devices for identifying a low battery charge of a smoke detector are presented. For example, a device may include a smoke detection sensor that detect smokes and, in response to detecting smoke, generate a smoke detection signal. The device may include battery test circuitry that tests a charge level of a battery installed in the smoke detector device. The device may include an audio output device that outputs a low battery chirp in response to the battery test circuitry determining the charge level of the battery installed in the smoke detector device is low. Also, the device may include a proximity detector that monitors for a wave movement of an object within a distance of the smoke detector device and generates a proximity detection signal when the proximity detector detects the wave movement performed by an object within the distance of the smoke detector device.

Abstract: A smoke alarm comprises smoke detection circuitry for detecting smoke and generating a detection signal responsive thereto. Proximity detection circuitry generates a proximity detection signal responsive to detection of an object within in a selected distance of the smoke alarm. Alarm generation circuitry generates an audible alarm responsive to the detection signal. The audible alarm may be deactivated for a predetermined period of time responsive to at least one proximity detection signal.

Abstract: A smoke alarm comprises smoke detection circuitry for detecting smoke and generating a detection signal responsive thereto. Proximity detection circuitry generates a proximity detection signal responsive to detection of an object within in a selected distance of the smoke alarm. Alarm generation circuitry generates an audible alarm responsive to the detection signal. The audible alarm may be deactivated for a predetermined period of time responsive to at least one proximity detection signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving outputs from multiple photodetectors, calculating a first ratio between first and second such outputs, calculating a second ratio between the first output and a difference corresponding to a flicker noise component obtained from the second output, and determining a contribution from multiple illumination types based at least in part on the first and second ratios. The method may also include obtaining multiple correction coefficients based at least in part on the determined contribution, and in turn determining an ambient light type present in proximity to the photodetectors using the correction coefficients and the first and second outputs.

Abstract: A smoke alarm comprises smoke detection circuitry for detecting smoke and generating a detection signal responsive thereto. Proximity detection circuitry generates a proximity detection signal responsive to detection of an object within in a selected distance of the smoke alarm. Alarm generation circuitry generates an audible alarm responsive to the detection signal. The audible alarm may be deactivated for a predetermined period of time responsive to at least one proximity detection signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for advanced monitoring and control using an LED driver in an optical processor are described. In an embodiment, a monitoring and control circuit may include a light-emitting diode (LED) driver including a control input, an output, and a node, wherein the output is coupled to an LED. The circuit may also include a multiplexer coupled to the node of the LED driver, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the multiplexer, and a controller coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and to the control input of the LED driver, wherein the LED driver is coupled to drive the output with a first voltage supply that is independent from a second voltage supply that is coupled to drive the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing having a front surface, a rear surface, and at least one sidewall therebetween and a plurality of optical windows formed in the housing to allow light to pass through from multiple directions. The apparatus further includes a plurality of photo detectors to generate electrical signals based on received light, where each of the plurality of photo detectors is disposed within a respective one of the plurality of optical windows. The apparatus also includes a control circuit coupled to the plurality of photo detectors to receive the electrical signals, determine light variations from the electrical signals, and determine a change in position of an object based on variation ratios of the light variations received by at least one pair of photo detectors within the plurality of photo detectors in response to determining the light variations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital-to-charge converter (“DQC”) are disclosed. A DQC may include a converting circuit configured to receive a first digital signal indicative of a voltage across a capacitor coupled to an output pin of the digital-to-charge converter and to determine a present charge of the capacitor based at least in part on the first digital signal. The DQC may also include an error determining circuit coupled to the converting circuit, wherein the error determining circuit is configured to receive a second digital signal indicative of a target charge via an input pin of the digital-to-charge converter and to determine a difference between the target charge and the present charge. The DQC may further include a correction circuit coupled to the error determining circuit and configured to control a programmable current source to produce an analog signal at the output pin in response to the determined difference.

Abstract: An optical gesture recognition system is shown having a first light source and a first optical receiver configured to receive reflected light from an object when the first light source is activated and output a first measured reflectance value corresponding to an amplitude of the reflected light. A processor is configured to receive the first measured reflectance value and to compare the first measured reflectance value at first and second points in time to track motion of the object and identify a gesture of the object corresponding to the tracked motion of the object.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photo detectors, which generate signals proportional to incident light. The system further includes an optical barrier adjacent to a surface and includes a control circuit. The optical barrier partially obstructs reflected light from reaching the plurality of photo detectors to produce a spatially dependent reflectance pattern that is dependent on a position of an object relative to a substrate. The control circuit determines a position of the object during a reflectance measurement cycle using each of the plurality of photo detectors by calibrating to ambient light conditions, measuring ambient plus reflected light, determining the reflected light and detecting the position of the object based on a ratio of the reflected light received by at least two of the plurality of photo detectors.

Abstract: A method for gesture recognition in an optical system using a touchless slider is shown. The touchless slider has first and second reference points positioned along an axis in an optical system. The method includes obtaining a plurality of first and second reflectance values by measuring an amplitude of light reflected from an object relative to the first and second reference points, respectively, wherein each first and second reflectance value corresponds to a different point in time. The plurality of first and second reflectance values are compared to identify a plurality of ratio values between the first and second reflectance values, wherein each of the plurality of ratio values corresponds to one of the points in time. At least one of a position and a direction of movement of the object relative to the first and second reference points is determined based on the identified plurality of ratio values.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to proximity sensor calibration for ambient light. In one embodiment, a proximity sensor is disclosed that is configured to perform a first light measurement followed by a second light measurement followed by a third light measurement. The first and third light measurements are light measurements taken without a light source activated, and the second light measurement is taken with the light source activated. A measurement of the amount of light reflected from an object is performed based on the first, second, and third light measurements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a second-order delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a second-order integrator adapted to second-order integrate a value at a first node, where the first node is coupled to an input of the ADC. The ADC also includes a comparator coupled to an output of the second-order integrator. The ADC further includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) coupled between an output of the comparator and the first node. The DAC is adapted to receive a digital output of the comparator and to generate a first charge or a second charge. The DAC includes a first charge pump adapted to produce the first charge and a second charge pump adapted to produce the second charge. The first and second charges are asymmetric.

Abstract: A method for determining an ambient light type is described. The method includes receiving measurement information from multiple photodetectors configured for different light spectra, calculating a color ratio using the measurement information, obtaining a correction value using the color ratio, applying the correction value to at least one of the first and second measurement information to obtain a photopic illuminance value, and determining an ambient light type using the photopic illumination value and the color ratio.

Abstract: A communication device is disclosed having optical and near-field communication capability. The device includes an optical transceiver circuit fabricated on an integrated circuit die and configured to transmit and receive far field signals. A near field transceiver circuit is also fabricated on the integrated circuit die and is configured to transmit and receive near-field electro-magnetic signals. Control circuitry is provided to selectively enable the optical transceiver circuit and the near field transceiver circuit responsive to an external control signal.