Abstract: A system for identifying a characteristic of a printing media includes a light source module that has a light emitting diode (LED) and an aspheric lens and a light detection module that has a photodetector and an aspheric lens. The light source module and light detection module are oriented with respect to a printing media such that the focusing points of the respective aspheric lenses are located at a common position on the printing media. The system differentiates between printing media types by applying light to the surface of the printing media and measuring the light that is reflected from the surface.

Abstract: An RC receiver device and an ambient light photosensor (ALPS) device are mounted on a single mounting device (e.g., circuit board or lead frame substrate) such that they are part of a single composite assembly. This reduces the amount of space that is consumed in electronic devices in which the assemblies are installed, which allows the electronic devices to be made smaller in size. In addition, implementing both the RC receiver device and the ALPS device in a single composite assembly lowers costs associated with manufacturing, assembling and shipping the composite assembly.

Abstract: A transceiver having a light source die, a photodetector die and a substrate is disclosed. The substrate has a first well in which the light source die is mounted and a second well in which the photodetector die is mounted. The substrate has a reflective surface which blocks light leaving the light source from reaching the photodetector unless the light is reflected by an object external to the transceiver. The reflecting surface of the second well in the substrate is shaped to concentrate light received from outside the transceiver onto the photodetector, and in one aspect of the invention it comprises a non-imaging optical element. The light source is powered by applying a potential between first and second contacts on the light source die. A signal is generated between first and second contacts on the photodetector die in response to illumination of the photodetector die.

Abstract: An apparatus having a die, a carrier, and a plurality of shielding wires. The die has a top surface through which EMI is received. The carrier has a first surface on which the die is mounted by attaching the die to the first surface using a surface of the die other than the top surface. The carrier also includes a plurality of electrical traces, the die being connected to two of the traces. The shielding wires cross the top surface of the die and are connected to a shielding trace in the carrier. The shielding trace is held at a constant potential. The shielding wires are positioned such that the EMI received by the die is reduced below the level that would be received without the shielding wires. The die could include a light detector.

Abstract: An RC receiver device and an ambient light photosensor (ALPS) device are mounted on a single mounting device (e.g., circuit board or lead frame substrate) such that they are part of a single composite assembly. This reduces the amount of space that is consumed in electronic devices in which the assemblies are installed, which allows the electronic devices to be made smaller in size. In addition, implementing both the RC receiver device and the ALPS device in a single composite assembly lowers costs associated with manufacturing, assembling and shipping the composite assembly.

Abstract: A remote control (RC) receiver device and an ambient light photosensor (ALPS) device are mounted on a single mounting device (e.g., printed circuit board) such that they are part of a single composite assembly. This reduces the amount of space that is needed in electronic devices that incorporate both RC receiver devices and ALPS devices. In addition, by implementing both devices in a single composite assembly, costs associated with manufacturing, assembly and shipping can be reduced. Because the RC receiver device and the ALPS device operate on light of different wavelengths, the composite assembly includes filtering mechanisms that prevent undesired wavelengths of light from impinging on the photodiode of the RC receiver device and on the photosensor of the ALPS device.

Abstract: Multiple devices that operate at different wavelengths of light are incorporated into a single composite assembly to reduce the amount of space that is needed to incorporate the assembly into a consumer electronics device. In addition, by implementing the devices in a single composite assembly, costs associated with manufacturing, assembly and shipping the assembly can be reduced. The composite assembly includes filtering mechanisms that prevent undesired wavelengths of light from impinging on the devices.

Abstract: A system for identifying a characteristic of a printing media includes a light source module that has a light emitting diode (LED) and an aspheric lens and a light detection module that has a photodetector and an aspheric lens. The light source module and light detection module are oriented with respect to a printing media such that the focusing points of the respective aspheric lenses are located at a common position on the printing media. The system differentiates between printing media types by applying light to the surface of the printing media and measuring the light that is reflected from the surface.

Abstract: An optical communication device having multiple light sources under a single lens. The optical communication device has two light sources. The optical communication device has a lens optically coupled to the two light sources. The lens is shaped to direct light from the two light sources towards an axis of the lens. The optical communication device further has a third light source located below the approximate center of the lens.

Abstract: An electronic device having a first piece, a second piece moveable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the first piece, and an ambient light sensor operable to detect ambient light when the second piece is not closed. The electronic device is operated in a first mode when the second piece is in an open position and in a second mode when the second piece is in the closed position.

Abstract: A bi-curvature lens for diodes in an infrared wireless communication transceiver is disclosed. Devices having such a bi-curvature lens, such as a light emitting device, a light detecting device, and a transceiver are also disclosed. A method for designing such a lens, and a method for fabricating a device having such a lens are also disclosed. The bi-curvature lens disclosed has a bottom hemispherical portion and a top aspherical portion. Light emitting diodes and photo detectors used in conjunction with bi-curvature lenses display symmetrical radiation intensity profiles, in accordance with Infrared Data Association standards and protocols.

Abstract: In one embodiment, each of a plurality of optical angle detectors has a plurality of light sensing elements and is positioned at a different location adjacent an optical input area. Each of a plurality of light-control devices is positioned between the optical input area and one of the optical angle detectors, to cause particular rays of light to be mapped to particular light sensing elements of a respective one of the optical angle detectors. The optical angle detectors are positioned to cause each coordinate in the optical input area to be within a field of view of at least two of the optical angle detectors. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical transceiver module which includes circuitry for detecting ambient light conditions in addition to circuitry for processing received optical data.

Abstract: An electronic device having a first piece, a second piece moveable with respect to the first piece, and a position sensor operable to sense the position of the second piece relative to the first piece. The electronic device is operated in a first mode or a second mode dependent upon the position of the second piece relative to the first piece. Optionally, a proximity sensor is provided to detect the presence of a body in close proximity to the device when the second piece is in an open position relative to the first piece.

Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus is provided with a substrate on which a photosensor and a light source are mounted. The photosensor is configured to receive light in an optical band about a wavelength of 940 nanometers; and the light source is configured to transmit light in an optical band about a wavelength of 940 nanometers. Circuitry that is physically supported by the substrate, and that is electrically coupled to the photosensor and the light source, terminates in electrical contacts that are physically supported by the substrate. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying a number of interactions with a computer input area defined by at least first and second intersecting sets of detection paths. First, indications of which of the detection paths are affected by the interactions are received. Then, for each of the detection path sets, the set's indications of affected detection paths are parsed to identify up to N extents of adjacent, affected detection paths (N?2). A controller having logic to implement the method, and a system incorporating a control system that implements the method, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of ambient light detection with digitized output. A light sensitive device is coupled to electronic circuitry for receiving an output of the light sensitive device corresponding to a level of ambient light. The electronic circuitry compares the output to a threshold level. The threshold level corresponds to a desired level of light. The electronic circuitry for provides an output signal indicative of said desired level of light.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch detection system and method is achieved having high resolution by forming an integrated array of alternating emitters and detectors. Using integration techniques, the detectors can be made much larger than the emitters while the gaps between the emitters and detectors are maintained relatively small. Thus, high resolution is achieved without dramatically increasing the number of emitter/detector pairs. In one embodiment each array is positioned on an edge of a display such that the emitter of one array is lined up (on axis with) a detector of an opposing display. In one embodiment, the touch detection system and method operates to detect the amplitude of signals arriving from opposing arrays so as to precisely determine the location of a touched position. Off-axis scanning can be employed to increase sensitivity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensed dataset includes data produced by a plurality of light sensors that have been exposed to a light environment. The data of the sensed dataset corresponds to different ranges of light, and at least a portion of one of the ranges of light is outside the visible (VIS) light spectrum. The sensed dataset is compared to a plurality of known datasets representative of known light environments, and at least one known dataset that is similar to the sensed dataset is identified. In response thereto, an indication of the sensed light environment is provided. Apparatus for implementing this and related methods is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the light sensors are ultraviolet, visible and infrared sensors, and the indication of the sensed light environment is used to control the color of data acquired by an image sensor, or the color of a display backlight.

Abstract: An optical transceiver device combines the functions of IrDa-compliant infrared transceivers and remote control devices. A receiver of the transceiver allows the remote control facilities of the transceiver to encompass bidirectional remote control capabilities. The first transmitter and the first receiver can be used for IrDA-compliant infrared communications, and the second transmitter and the first receiver can be used for remote control applications. A first frequency band for IrDA-compliant communications is approximately 805 nm to 900 nm, and a second frequency band for remote control communications is approximately 915 nm to 965 nm. The receiver designed for receiving signals in the first frequency band is not particularly selective and, as a result, is able to detect remote control signals transmitted in the second frequency band.