Light sensor

• US 9,961,746 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2015
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Nelson, Barry K., Bechtel, Jon H., McMillan, Daniel G., Reese, Spencer D.
• Primary Examiner(s): PYO, KEVIN K
• Application Number:
  US14/924,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20160050737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 250221, 250214 R, 250214 AL, 359602, 359609, 3408154, 340901
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/0403 Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements; Scanning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/26 adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value regulation of light intensity G05D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/4228 arrangements with two or more detectors, e.g. for sensitivity compensation
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/46 using a capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2001/0276 Protection
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/11 by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A light sensor is provided that includes an exposed light transducer for accumulating charge in proportion to light incident thereon over an integration period; and a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer. The light-to-pulse circuit may include a one shot logic circuit that contributes to generation of the pulse. The light sensor may include an input/output pad, a capacitor provided at the input/output pad for blocking static electricity, an input low pass filter provided at the input/output pad for blocking electromagnetic interference, and/or a bandgap voltage reference circuit connected to a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range.

Claims

1. A light sensor comprising:

an exposed light transducer operative to accumulate charge in proportion to light incident on the exposed light transducer over an integration period;

a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer; and

a bandgap voltage reference circuit for receiving power from a power source and for generating a set of stable reference voltages to the light-to-pulse circuit, wherein the bandgap voltage reference circuit generates a constant current from the supply voltage supplied by the power supply and wherein the bandgap voltage reference circuit comprises a resistive ladder through which the constant current is passed to generate the set of stable reference voltages.

2. The light sensor of claim 1, wherein the bandgap voltage reference circuit generates a plurality of constant currents from the supply voltage supplied by the power supply and wherein the bandgap voltage reference circuit comprises a plurality of resistive ladders through which the constant currents are passed to generate the set of stable reference voltages.

3. A rearview assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a rearview device for providing a rearward view to a driver of the vehicle;

the light sensor of claim 1; and

a mounting mechanism adapted for mounting the rearview device and the light sensor to the vehicle.

4. The rearview assembly of claim 3 and further comprising a display carried by the mounting mechanism, and a display brightness control circuit coupled to the display and the light sensor package for controlling a brightness of the display in response to light levels sensed by the light sensor package.

5. The rearview assembly of claim 3 and further comprising an electro-optic mirror element carried by the mounting mechanism, and a mirror reflectivity control circuit coupled to the electro-optic mirror element and the light sensor package for controlling a reflectivity of the electro-optic mirror element in response to light levels sensed by the light sensor package.

6. A light sensor comprising:

an exposed light transducer operative to accumulate charge in proportion to light incident on the exposed light transducer over an integration period;

a light-to-pulse circuit in communication with the exposed light transducer, the light-to-pulse circuit operative to output a pulse having a pulse width based on the charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer; and

a bandgap voltage reference circuit for receiving power from a power source having a supply voltage level in a range of about 3.3V to about 5.0V, and for generating a set of stable reference voltages throughout the supply voltage level range to the light-to-pulse circuit.

7. The light sensor of claim 6, wherein the bandgap voltage reference circuit generates constant currents from the supply voltage supplied by the power supply and wherein the bandgap voltage reference circuit comprises resistive ladders through which the constant currents are passed to generate the set of stable reference voltages.

8. A rearview assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a rearview device for providing a rearward view to a driver of the vehicle;

the light sensor of claim 6; and

a mounting mechanism adapted for mounting the rearview device and the light sensor to the vehicle.

9. The rearview assembly of claim 8 and further comprising a display carried by the mounting mechanism, and a display brightness control circuit coupled to the display and the light sensor package for controlling a brightness of the display in response to light levels sensed by the light sensor package.

10. The rearview assembly of claim 8 and further comprising an electro-optic mirror element carried by the mounting mechanism, and a mirror reflectivity control circuit coupled to the electro-optic mirror element and the light sensor package for controlling a reflectivity of the electro-optic mirror element in response to light levels sensed by the light sensor package.