18191438. Electronic Devices Having Semiconductor Sensors With Metal Optical Filters simplified abstract (APPLE INC.)
Electronic Devices Having Semiconductor Sensors With Metal Optical Filters
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Ove Lyngnes of Carmel Valley CA (US)
Paul J Gelsinger of Santa Clara CA (US)
Yijing Chen of San Diego CA (US)
Guocheng Shao of Palo Alto CA (US)
Louis W Baum of Mountain View CA (US)
Kenneth J Vampola of Los Altos CA (US)
Avery P Yuen of Campbell CA (US)
Electronic Devices Having Semiconductor Sensors With Metal Optical Filters - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18191438 titled 'Electronic Devices Having Semiconductor Sensors With Metal Optical Filters
Simplified Explanation
An electronic device with an ambient light sensor that produces signals in response to light incident on the device. The sensor includes a filter that transmits visible light while blocking infrared light. The filter includes thin-film dielectric layers and metal layers to ensure infrared light is blocked regardless of the angle of incident light.
- The electronic device has an ambient light sensor that responds to light incident on the device.
- The sensor includes a filter that allows visible light to pass through while blocking infrared light.
- The filter consists of thin-film dielectric layers and metal layers.
- The metal layers are interleaved with the thin-film dielectric layers.
- A diffuser in the sensor scatters the light into a desired angular distribution.
- The filter design ensures that infrared light is blocked regardless of the angle of incident light.
Potential Applications
- Smartphones and tablets with automatic brightness adjustment based on ambient light.
- Digital cameras with automatic exposure control.
- Ambient light sensing in automotive displays and controls.
- Lighting control systems that adjust brightness based on ambient light conditions.
Problems Solved
- Interference from infrared components or external light sources affecting the operation of the ambient light sensor.
- Ensuring accurate and consistent ambient light sensing regardless of the angle of incident light.
Benefits
- Improved accuracy and reliability of ambient light sensing.
- Consistent performance in various lighting conditions and angles.
- Enhanced user experience with automatic brightness adjustment in electronic devices.
- Energy savings by optimizing lighting control systems based on ambient light conditions.
Original Abstract Submitted
An electronic device may include an ambient light sensor or other semiconductor sensor. The sensor may produce signals in response to light incident on the electronic device and therefore incident on the sensor. In some cases, components within the electronic device, such as infrared components, or external light sources may interfere with the operation of the sensor. Therefore, the sensor may include a filter that transmits at least a portion of visible light while blocking infrared light. Because light may be incident on the electronic device from a variety of angles, a diffuser in the sensor may scatter the light into a desired angular distribution. To ensure that infrared light is blocked regardless of the angle of the incident light, the filter may include both thin-film dielectric layers and metal layers. The metal layers may be interleaved with the thin-film dielectric layers.
