Ambient light sensor configured to determine the direction of a beam of ambient light incident thereon
US8681137B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 2011 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09G2360/144
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Various embodiments of an ambient light sensor configured to determine the direction of a beam of light incident thereon are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ambient light sensor is provided that comprises a plurality of light detectors arranged in a spatial array upon a light sensing surface. Each of the light detectors in the array is configured to generate an analog output voltage in response to the beam of ambient light falling thereon. The amount of light incident on the individual light detectors in the spatial array varies according to the position of each such sensor with respect to direction of the beam of ambient light. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is operably coupled to the plurality of light detectors and is configured to receive the analog output signals generated thereby as inputs thereto, and to provide digital output values representative of the analog signals. Control logic circuitry is operably coupled to the ADC and configured to receive the digital output values therefrom, and is further configured to process such digital output values to determine the direction of the beam of light incident upon the spatial array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.