The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jun. 08, 2021

Filed:

Jun. 08, 2018
Applicant:

Ams Ag, Premstaetten, AT;

Inventors:

Bernhard Greimel-Längauer, Premstaetten, AT;

Peter Bliem, Premstaetten, AT;

Assignee:

ams AG, Premstaetten, AT;

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01J 1/18 (2006.01); G01J 1/46 (2006.01); G01J 1/44 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01J 1/18 (2013.01); G01J 1/46 (2013.01); G01J 2001/446 (2013.01); G01J 2001/4426 (2013.01);
Abstract

An optical sensor arrangement has an integrator, a photodiode for providing a current corresponding to a first polarity, a comparator coupled to the integrator for comparing a voltage with a threshold voltage to provide a comparison output, a reference charge circuit and a control unit. The reference charge circuit is coupled to the integrator for selectively providing first charge packages of a first size or second charge packages of a second size. The control unit is configured to control operation in a calibration phase, in an integration phase and in a residual measurement phase. During the calibration phase, the reference charge circuit provides one of the first charge packages and one or more of the second charge packages to the integrator until the comparison output changes. A reference number is determined corresponding to a number of the second charge packages provided. During the integration phase, the photodiode is connected to the integrator and the reference charge circuit provides one of the first charge packages to the integrator in response to a respective change of the comparison output. An integration number corresponding to a number of the changes of the comparison output is determined. During the residual measurement phase that immediately follows the integration phase, the reference charge circuit provides one or more of the second charge packages to the integrator until the comparison output changes. A residual number corresponding to a number of the second charge packages provided is determined.


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