Integrated proximity sensor and light sensor
First Claim
1. An apparatus to sense proximity and to sense light, the apparatus comprising:
- an emitter of electromagnetic radiation;
a detector of electromagnetic radiation, the detector having a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when the apparatus is sensing proximity and configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter when the apparatus is sensing light, wherein the emitter is configured to emit IR light;
processing logic to distinguish between IR light emitted by the emitter and ambient IR light when the apparatus is sensing proximity.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses and methods to sense proximity and to detect light. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an emitter of electromagnetic radiation and a detector of electromagnetic radiation; the detector has a sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when sensing proximity, and to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter when sensing visible light. The emitter may be disabled at least temporarily to allow the detector to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter, such as ambient light. In one implementation, the ambient light is measured by measuring infrared wavelengths. Also, a fence having a non-IR transmissive material disposed between the emitter and the detector to remove electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter. Other apparatuses and methods and data processing systems and machine readable media are also described.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus to sense proximity and to sense light, the apparatus comprising:
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an emitter of electromagnetic radiation; a detector of electromagnetic radiation, the detector having a sensor configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when the apparatus is sensing proximity and configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter when the apparatus is sensing light, wherein the emitter is configured to emit IR light; processing logic to distinguish between IR light emitted by the emitter and ambient IR light when the apparatus is sensing proximity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus to sense proximity and to sense light, the apparatus comprising:
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an emitter of electromagnetic radiation; a detector of electromagnetic radiation, the detector having a first sensor configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when the apparatus is sensing proximity, the detector having a second sensor configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter when the apparatus is sensing light. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus to sense proximity and to detect light, the apparatus comprising:
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an emitter of electromagnetic radiation; a detector of electromagnetic radiation, the detector being configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when the apparatus is configured to sense proximity, wherein the detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than the emitter when the apparatus is configured to sense light, the detector having a first bandpass filter that only passes infra-red (IR) light, and a second passband filter that only passes both IR light and visible light. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An integrated proximity and ambient light sensor comprising:
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a proximity sensor to sense a proximity, the proximity sensor comprising an emitter of electromagnetic radiation and a detector of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when sensing proximity; and an ambient light sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation other than from the emitter when the proximity sensor is not sensing proximity. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of operating an integrated proximity and ambient light sensor comprising:
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using the sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted from an emitter of the sensor when sensing proximity; and using the sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation other than from the emitter when not sensing proximity. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A data processing system comprising:
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an integrated proximity and ambient light sensor configured to be a proximity sensor to sense a proximity and configured to be an ambient light sensor to detect electromagnetic radiation from a source other than an emitter of electromagnetic radiation of the proximity sensor, the proximity sensor comprising the emitter and a detector of electromagnetic radiation from the emitter when sensing proximity and wherein the proximity sensor and the ambient light sensor share the detector of electromagnetic radiation; a display; an input device; at least one processor coupled to the input device and to the display and to the proximity sensor, the processor configured to determine, based upon data from the proximity sensor, whether to modify a setting of the data processing system. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification