Method and system for sensing light using an interferometric element having a coupled temperature sensor

• US 7,852,483 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2008
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Snaptrack Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Incorporated (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kothari, Manish
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Hwa S. A
• Application Number:
  US12/260,037
• Publication Number:
  US 20090141286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 356/454, 356/480, 356/506, 356/519, 356/451, 359577-590
• US Class Current: 356/454
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/26 using multiple reflection, e.g. Fabry-Perot interferometer, variable interference filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/001 based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity interference filters G02B5/28; devices or arrangements using multiple reflections in spectrometry or monochromators G01J3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/041 Temperature compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3466 based on interferometric effect

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a light sensor comprising at least one interferometric element that absorbs light in at least one wavelength. The interferometric element comprises a first surface and a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface. The second surface is spaced a gap distance from the first surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first surface. The light wavelength absorbed is dependent on the gap distance. The interferometric element further comprises a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is responsive to changes in temperature of at least a portion of the interferometric element due to absorption of light by the interferometric element.

Claims

1. A light sensor comprising:

a first surface which is at least partially transmissive and at least partially reflective to at least one wavelength of light;

a second surface which is at least partially reflective to the at least one wavelength of light, wherein the second surface is substantially parallel to and spaced a first distance from the first surface;

a temperature sensor thermally coupled to and abutting the first surface, wherein the temperature sensor is responsive to changes of temperature of the first surface caused at least in part by absorption of the at least one wavelength of light; and

a processor configured to determine an intensity in the absorbed at least one wavelength of light based on the response of the temperature sensor.

2. The light sensor of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a binary device.

3. The light sensor of claim 2, wherein the binary device is in a first state when the temperature is below a predetermined level and is in a second state when the temperature is above a predetermined level.

4. The light sensor of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor comprises an analog device.

5. The light sensor of claim 4, wherein the analog device comprises a bi-metallic thermocouple.

6. The light sensor of claim 4, wherein the analog device generates a voltage difference as a function of the temperature.

7. The light sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

a third surface which is at least partially transmissive and at least partially reflective to at least one second wavelength of light;

a fourth surface which is at least partially reflective to the at least one second wavelength of light, wherein the fourth surface is substantially parallel to and spaced a second distance from the third surface; and

a second temperature sensor thermally coupled to and abutting the third surface, wherein the second temperature sensor is responsive to changes of temperature of the third surface caused at least in part by absorption of the at least one second wavelength of light,

wherein the processor is configured to determine an intensity in the absorbed at least one second wavelength of light based on the response of the second temperature sensor.

8. The light sensor of claim 7, wherein the second temperature sensor comprises a second binary device.

9. The light sensor of claim 8, wherein the second binary device is in a first state when the temperature is below a predetermined level and is in a second state when the temperature is above a predetermined level.

10. The light sensor of claim 7, wherein the second temperature sensor comprises a second analog device.

11. The light sensor of claim 10, wherein the second analog device comprises a bi-metallic thermocouple.

12. The light sensor of claim 10, wherein the second analog device generates a voltage difference as a function of the temperature.

13. The light sensor of claim 1, further comprising:

a third surface which is at least partially transmissive and at least partially reflective to the at least one wavelength of light;

a fourth surface which is at least partially reflective to the at least one wavelength of light, wherein the fourth surface is substantially parallel to and spaced a second distance from the third surface; and

a second temperature sensor thermally coupled to and abutting the third surface, wherein the second temperature sensor is responsive to changes of temperature of the third surface caused at least in part by absorption of the at least one wavelength of light,

wherein an activation temperature of the second temperature sensor is different than an activation temperature of the temperature sensor.

14. The light sensor of claim 1, further comprising a substrate.

15. A display device comprising:

a housing;

a light sensor within the housing comprising;

a first surface which is at least partially transmissive and at least partially reflective to at least one wavelength of light,

a second surface which is at least partially reflective to the at least one wavelength of light, wherein the second surface is substantially parallel to and spaced a first distance from the first surface;

a temperature sensor thermally coupled to and abutting the first surface, wherein the temperature sensor is responsive to changes of temperature of the first surface caused at least in part by absorption of the at least one wavelength of light; and

a processor configured to determine an intensity in the absorbed at least one wavelength of light based on the response of the temperature sensor.

16. The display device of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to determine a wavelength of the at least one wavelength light.

17. The display device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to set the amount of a front light or back light.

18. The display device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to process a digital image based at least in part on the determined intensity.