Color detector
US8330955B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 2008 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/23
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A color detector includes a light source, a photodiode, and a filter tuned to only allow light of a specific color to pass through to the photodiode. When the light reaches the photodiode, the photodiode outputs a current that indicates that the color is present in the light. The filter may include a pair of partially reflective layers consisting of a reflective metal, such as silver. To prevent the metal from oxidizing or reacting with the environment, the partially reflective layers may be coated with a protective layer, such as aluminum nitride. The color detector may further include a color enhancing layer. Finally, the color detector may include a capping layer. Accordingly, the color detector provided herein allows for the filter to use metals for partially reflective layers that would normally oxidize, as well as detect light of a specific spectrum of wavelengths.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.