公开(公告)号：US08878830B2

公开(公告)日：2014-11-04

申请号：US12884986

申请日：2010-09-17

Applicant: Jeffrey Raynor ,  Abdelouahid Zakriti ,  Stephane Vivien ,  Pascal Mellot

Inventor： Jeffrey Raynor ,  Abdelouahid Zakriti ,  Stephane Vivien ,  Pascal Mellot

IPC: G09G5/00 ,  G01J1/18 ,  G01J1/46

CPC classification number: G01J1/18 ,  G01J1/46

Abstract: Ambient light is detected by a photodiode circuit by measuring the time taken for a digital output of the photodiode circuit to change state in response to exposure of a photodiode of the photodiode circuit to that ambient light. A nominal time for state change is calculated based on photodiode circuit characteristics. Furthermore, an effective time for the photodiode circuit digital output to change state is determined in a calibration mode where the photodiode has been disconnected and a reference current is applied to the circuit. An illumination value of the detected ambient light is then calculated as a function of: the measured time, the effective time and the nominal time.

Abstract translation: 通过测量光电二极管电路的数字输出所需的时间以响应于光电二极管电路的光电二极管暴露于​​该环境光而改变状态，由光电二极管电路检测环境光。 基于光电二极管电路特性计算状态变化的标称时间。 此外，在光电二极管已经断开并且将参考电流施加到电路的校准模式中确定用于光电二极管电路数字输出改变状态的有效时间。 然后根据测量的时间，有效时间和标称时间来计算检测到的环境光的照明值。

公开(公告)号：US08803116B2

公开(公告)日：2014-08-12

申请号：US13412462

申请日：2012-03-05

Applicant: Yukio Tsunetsugu

Inventor： Yukio Tsunetsugu

IPC: G02B27/00

CPC classification number: H03K17/78 ,  G01J1/18 ,  G01J1/44 ,  H03K5/2481

Abstract: According to a receiving circuit includes a light receiving element, a signal voltage generation portion, a comparator, a reference voltage generation portion and a switch. The light receiving element receives a light signal and outputs a light current corresponding to the light signal. The signal voltage generation portion converts the light current into a signal voltage and outputs the signal voltage. The comparator compares the signal voltage with a first threshold value or a second threshold value. The reference voltage generation portion outputs a reference voltage input to the comparator. The switch changes the reference voltage to one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value based on an output of the comparator.

Abstract translation: 根据接收电路包括光接收元件，信号电压产生部分，比较器，参考电压产生部分和开关。 光接收元件接收光信号并输出​​与光信号对应的光电流。 信号电压产生部分将光电流转换为信号电压并输出信号电压。 比较器将信号电压与第一阈值或第二阈值进行比较。 参考电压产生部分输出输入到比较器的参考电压。 该开关基于比较器的输出将参考电压改变为第一阈值和第二阈值之一。

公开(公告)号：US20140117214A1

公开(公告)日：2014-05-01

申请号：US14050620

申请日：2013-10-10

Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS

Inventor： Pascal Mellot

IPC: G01J1/44

CPC classification number: G01J1/4204 ,  G01J1/18 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01J2001/4426 ,  H04N1/00917

Abstract: A method wherein the updating of a counter is triggered when a photodiode reaches a discharge threshold.

Abstract translation: 一种方法，其中当光电二极管达到放电阈值时触发计数器的更新。

公开(公告)号：US08692919B2

公开(公告)日：2014-04-08

申请号：US13346786

申请日：2012-01-10

Applicant: Tomohisa Kinugasa

Inventor： Tomohisa Kinugasa

IPC: H04N3/14 ,  H05B39/04

CPC classification number: G01J1/44 ,  G01J1/18 ,  H01L31/1105

Abstract: The present invention provides a photo-sensor with a stable current limiting function and pixel reset function. When the incident light quantity of the phototransistor is equal to or less than a predetermined quantity and the base potential of the phototransistor is in a first potential of an operation point in a stationary state, an MOSFET for discharging an electric charge is controlled so as to be turned OFF. In addition, when the incident light quantity of the phototransistor is equal to or more than the predetermined quantity, a MOSFET for detecting an electric current is controlled so as to operate in a saturation region. When the base potential of the phototransistor has changed to a second potential from the first potential, the MOSFET for discharging an electric charge is controlled so as to be turned ON.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供具有稳定的限流功能和像素复位功能的光传感器。 当光电晶体管的入射光量等于或小于预定量并且光电晶体管的基极电位处于静止状态的操作点的第一电位时，控制用于放电的MOSFET，以便 关闭。 此外，当光电晶体管的入射光量等于或大于预定量时，用于检测电流的MOSFET被控制为在饱和区域中操作。 当光电晶体管的基极电位从第一电位变为第二电位时，用于放电电荷的MOSFET被控制为接通。

公开(公告)号：US20140077084A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-20

申请号：US14028096

申请日：2013-09-16

Applicant: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke EBISUMOTO ,  Kazuhiro HASHIZUMI ,  Yoshiharu SHIRATORI

IPC: H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  G01J1/18 ,  H03K17/9636 ,  H03K2217/94026 ,  H03K2217/94031 ,  H03K2217/94108

Abstract: A sensitivity adjustment device may include: a light receiver configured to receive a reflected light that has been emitted from a light emitting unit and reflected by a reflector, the light receiver being configured to convert the reflected light into an analog electrical signal; an A/D converter configured to convert the analog electrical signal into a digital signal; a threshold value calculator configured to calculate a threshold value with reference to a voltage level of the digital signal that has been sequentially converted and output by the A/D converter; and a determination unit configured to compare a high voltage level of the digital signal with the threshold value.

Abstract translation: 灵敏度调节装置可以包括：被配置为接收从发光单元发射并被反射器反射的反射光的光接收器，所述光接收器被配置为将所述反射光转换为模拟电信号; A / D转换器，被配置为将模拟电信号转换为数字信号; 阈值计算器，被配置为参考由A / D转换器顺次转换并输出的数字信号的电压电平来计算阈值; 以及确定单元，被配置为将数字信号的高电压电平与阈值进行比较。

公开(公告)号：US08629386B2

公开(公告)日：2014-01-14

申请号：US12711034

申请日：2010-02-23

Applicant: Amine Bermak ,  Chao Shi ,  Man Kay Law

Inventor： Amine Bermak ,  Chao Shi ,  Man Kay Law

IPC: H01L27/00

CPC classification number: G01P15/09 ,  G01J1/02 ,  G01J1/0228 ,  G01J1/0247 ,  G01J1/18 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G01L1/26 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/3698 ,  H04N5/3741

Abstract: An apparatus using reconfigurable integrated sensor elements with an efficient energy harvesting capability is described. Each sensor element has sensing and energy harvesting mode. In the sensing mode, the sensor element measures an environmental characteristic by generating electrical charge and outputs a time-encoded signal indicative of the measurement. In the energy harvesting mode, the sensor element itself is used to harvest energy from ambient energy source and makes it available to other sensor elements or circuit components. The sensing element is switched from the sensing mode to the energy harvesting mode when the electrical charge reaches a predetermined threshold. An image sensor device using asynchronous readout for harvesting energy from incident light while generating images is also described.

Abstract translation: 描述了使用具有有效的能量收集能力的可重构集成传感器元件的装置。 每个传感器元件具有感测和能量收集模式。 在感测模式中，传感器元件通过产生电荷来测量环境特性，并输出指示测量的时间编码信号。 在能量收集模式中，传感器元件本身用于从环境能源收集能量，并使其可用于其他传感器元件或电路组件。 当电荷达到预定阈值时，感测元件从感测模式切换到能量收集模式。 还描述了使用异步读出器从收集来自入射光的能量同时产生图像的图像传感器装置。

公开(公告)号：US20130322876A1

公开(公告)日：2013-12-05

申请号：US13483950

申请日：2012-05-30

Applicant: Soren Gehrke ,  Theodor Kupfer ,  James Whiteaway

Inventor： Soren Gehrke ,  Theodor Kupfer ,  James Whiteaway

IPC: H04B10/06 ,  H04B10/08

CPC classification number: G01J1/0418 ,  G01J1/18 ,  H04B10/07955 ,  H04B10/0799 ,  H04B10/61

Abstract: A system configured to maintain a consistent local-oscillator-power-to-primary-signal-power ratio (LO/SIG ratio). The system may be configured to: receive the voltages for a plurality of optical signal components split from a combined SIG and LO signal; determine individual factors for the plurality of optical signal components; average the individual factors; determine whether the averaged output is less than a minimum reference value for a variable optical attenuator; determine whether the averaged output is greater than a maximum reference value for the variable optical attenuator; change a value associated with the averaged output to the minimum reference value, due to determining that the averaged output is less than the minimum reference value; change a value associated with the averaged output to the maximum reference value, due to determining that the averaged output is greater than the maximum reference value; and change a new value associated with the averaged output to be transmitted to the variable optical attenuator.

Abstract translation: 一种被配置为保持本地振荡器一致信号功率比（LO / SIG比率）一致的系统。 该系统可以被配置为：接收从组合的SIG和LO信号分离的多个光信号分量的电压; 确定所述多个光信号分量的各个因素; 平均个别因素; 确定平均输出是否小于可变光衰减器的最小参考值; 确定平均输出是否大于可变光衰减器的最大参考值; 由于确定平均输出小于最小参考值，将与平均输出相关联的值改变为最小参考值; 由于确定平均输出大于最大参考值，将与平均输出相关联的值改变为最大参考值; 并且将与要发送的平均输出相关联的新值改变为可变光衰减器。

公开(公告)号：US20130299673A1

公开(公告)日：2013-11-14

申请号：US13891829

申请日：2013-05-10

Applicant: Voxtel, Inc.

Inventor： George M. WILLIAMS ,  Andrew S. HUNTINGTON

IPC: G01J1/18

CPC classification number: G01J1/18 ,  G01J1/44

Abstract: The output of an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprises a “photocurrent” component comprising photon initiated events resulting from the interaction of photons with the APD and a “dark current” component comprising dark carrier events arising in the APD even when the APD is not exposed to light. Differences in the pulse height distributions of photon initiated events and dark carrier initiated events are used to statistically discriminate between photocurrent and dark current components of APD output.

Abstract translation: 雪崩光电二极管（APD）的输出包括由光子发射的光子与APD的相互作用产生的“光电流”分量，以及包括在APD中出现的暗载波事件的“暗电流”分量，即使当APD不暴露 点亮 光子起始事件的脉冲高度分布和暗载波起始事件的差异被用于统计地区分APD输出的光电流和暗电流分量。

公开(公告)号：US08556175B2

公开(公告)日：2013-10-15

申请号：US12956716

申请日：2010-11-30

Applicant: Alexander M. McQueen ,  Patrick M. O'Donnell

Inventor： Alexander M. McQueen ,  Patrick M. O'Donnell

IPC: G06K7/10

CPC classification number: G01G19/4144 ,  G01J1/18 ,  G01J1/44

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing erroneous weighing of items such as by detecting items extending beyond a periphery of a weigh platter whereby in one configuration, the system employs a light guide for routing a light beam to a detector operative to detect interruption of the beam due to an item encroaching upon or overhanging an edge of the platter. In another configuration, the scale includes a perimeter gap between the platter outer edge and scanner housing frame or checkout counter, a light beam directed angularly upward through the gap is partially obstructed by the frame and platter whereby light exits the gap forming a light plane, wherein an object placed on the platter extending across the gap intersects the light plane thus scattering light rays, some of which are sensed by a detector. Various indicators for alerting the operator of off-scale detection are also described.

Abstract translation: 用于减少物品的错误称重的系统和方法，例如通过检测延伸超过称重盘的周边的物品，由此在一个配置中，系统采用光导将光束路由到检测器，以检测由于 侵入或悬垂在拼盘边缘的物品。 在另一种结构中，刻度盘包括盘片外边缘和扫描器外壳框架或检出计数器之间的周边间隙，通过间隙成角度地向上定向的光束被框架和盘片部分地遮挡，由此光离开形成光平面的间隙， 其中放置在跨越间隙延伸的盘片上的物体与光平面相交，从而散射光线，其中一些被检测器感测。 还描述了用于警告操作员离线检测的各种指示器。

公开(公告)号：US20130256507A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-03

申请号：US13714149

申请日：2012-12-13

Applicant: Yoshihisa Tabuchi ,  Yasunori Nagata

Inventor： Yoshihisa Tabuchi ,  Yasunori Nagata

IPC: G01J1/44

CPC classification number: G01J1/44 ,  G01J1/18

Abstract: Light from a photodiode is detected using a phototransistor. At the time of startup, set data concerning a detected current is received at a communication interface, and the received set data is compared with the detected current. A control unit adjusts a current of the phototransistor so that the detected current matches the set data.

Abstract translation: 使用光电晶体管检测来自光电二极管的光。 在启动时，在通信接口处接收关于检测到的电流的设置数据，并将所接收的设定数据与检测到的电流进行比较。 控制单元调整光电晶体管的电流，使得检测到的电流与设定数据匹配。