Serial light interface which also functions as an ambient light detector
First Claim
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1. An electronic device capable of operating in a first mode and a second mode comprising:
- photodetection means for producing an electrical signal in response to data modulated light when said electrical device is operating in said first mode and for producing an electrical signal in response to ambient light when said electrical device is operating in said second mode;
processing means coupled to said photodetection means for digitally processing said electrical signal produced by said photodetection means in the first mode; and
illuminating means coupled to said photodetection means for providing illumination in response to said electrical signal being produced by said photodetection means in the second mode.
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Abstract
A photodetector mounted on an electrical device serves as an ambient light sensor for low light illumination control and an optical receiver for receiving optically transmitted data.
44 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electronic device capable of operating in a first mode and a second mode comprising:
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photodetection means for producing an electrical signal in response to data modulated light when said electrical device is operating in said first mode and for producing an electrical signal in response to ambient light when said electrical device is operating in said second mode; processing means coupled to said photodetection means for digitally processing said electrical signal produced by said photodetection means in the first mode; and illuminating means coupled to said photodetection means for providing illumination in response to said electrical signal being produced by said photodetection means in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A serial light interface comprising:
a first electronic device comprising; first processing means for generating a first electrical signal; and first light emitting means coupled to said first processing means for producing first data modulated light in response to said first electrical signal; and a second electronic device comprising; first photodetection means for producing a second electrical signal in response to said first data modulated light in a first mode and in response to ambient light in a second mode; second processing means coupled to said first photodetection means for digitally processing said second electrical signal produced in the first mode; and illuminating means coupled to said first photodetection means for providing illumination in response to said second electrical signal being produced in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A method in an electronic device having a signal processor capable of processing a signal in a first mode and a second mode and comprising a display, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing modulation of ambient light within the frequency range of visible light with a photodetection device; generating a signal in response to said light modulation; providing said signal to said signal processor; generating a data signal in response to processing said signal in said first mode; generating an illumination control signal for illuminating the display in response to processing said signal in said second mode; and switching the processing of said signal processor from said first mode to said second mode in response to said signal.
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15. A method in an electronic device having a signal processor capable of processing a signal in a first mode and a second mode comprising the steps of:
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sensing modulation of ambient light within the frequency range of visible light with a photodetection device; generating a signal in response to said light modulation; providing said signal to said signal processor; switching the processing of said signal processor from said first mode to said second mode in response to said signal; and switching said photodetection device from a first level of sensitivity to modulated light to a second level of sensitivity to modulated light in response to the processing of said signal processor being switched from said first mode to said second mode. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A selective call receiver comprising:
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receiver means for receiving and demodulating an RF signal comprising a selective call message; photodetection means for generating a control signal and a data signal in response to light modulation; processing means coupled to said receiver means and said photodetection means for digitally processing said demodulated RF signal for deriving said selective call message and for digitally processing said data signal; display means coupled to said processing means for presenting said selective call message; and illuminating means coupled to said photodetection means for providing backlight illumination for said display means in response to said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method in an electronic device having a signal processor capable of processing a signal in a first mode and a second mode comprising the steps of:
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sensing modulation of ambient light within the frequency range of visible light with a photodetection device; generating a signal in response to said light modulation; providing said signal to said signal processor; and switching the processing of said signal processor from said first mode to said second mode in response to a predetermined pattern of optical signals appearing in said light modulation.
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Specification