Module for proximity and gesture sensing

摘要

A module operates in a proximity detection mode and a gesture detection mode. The module includes an illumination source, radiation sensors and a controller. When in proximity detection mode, the illumination source emits radiation, the radiation sensors measure the radiation level, and the controller adjusts the measured radiation level to substantially cancel the contribution attributable to ambient radiation to determine the presence of a proximate object by. When in the gesture recognition mode, the level of radiation incident on the sensors is individually sampled, and the controller determines object movement by comparing the changes in the measured radiation levels over a plurality of the samples. Ambient radiation contribution is not removed from the sampled radiation levels during the gesture recognition mode.

主权项

1. A proximity and gesture detection module, comprising:
an illumination source; a plurality of radiation sensors; and a controller; said module being operable in a proximity detection mode and a gesture detection mode; wherein, when said module is in said proximity detection mode:
said illumination source is operable to emit radiation,said module is operable to measure the level of radiation incident on one or more of said radiation sensors, said level of radiation being attributable to ambient radiation and, when there is an object present in the field of view of said one or more of said radiation sensors, radiation from said illumination source which has been reflected by said object towards said one or more of said radiation sensors; andsaid controller is operable to determine the presence of an object in the proximity of the module by adjusting said measured radiation level to substantially cancel the contribution attributable to the ambient radiation, and comparing said adjusted radiation level to a proximity threshold; and wherein, when said module is in said gesture recognition mode:
said module is operable to repeatedly sample the level of radiation incident on each of a plurality of said sensors, individually;said controller is operable to determine the movement of an object in the field of view of said sensors by comparing the changes in the measured radiation levels over a plurality of said samples; andwherein any ambient radiation contribution is not removed from the sampled radiation levels during said gesture recognition mode.