OPTICAL PROXIMITY SENSORS WITH RECONFIGURABLE PHOTODIODE ARRAY

摘要

Optical proximity sensors, methods for use therewith, and systems including optical proximity sensor are described herein. Such an optical proximity sensor includes a light source and a light detector, wherein the light detector includes a plurality of individually selectable photodiodes (PDs). During a calibration mode, individual PDs of the plurality of PDs of the light detector are tested to identify which PDs are crosstalk dominated. During an operation mode, the PDs of the light detector that were not identified as being crosstalk dominated are used to produce a light detection value or signal that is useful for detecting the presence, proximity and/or motion of an object within the sense region of the optical proximity sensor. By not using the PDs that were identified as being crosstalk dominated, the signal-to-noise ratio of the light detection value or signal is improved compared to if the crosstalk dominated PDs were also used.

主权项

1. A method for use with an optical proximity sensor, including a light source and a light detector, wherein the light detector includes a plurality of individually selectable photodiodes (PDs), the method comprising:
(a) during a calibration mode, identifying which individual PDs of the plurality of PDs of the light detector are crosstalk dominated; and (b) during an operation mode, using the PDs of the light detector that were not identified as being crosstalk dominated, and not using the PDs of the light detector that were identified as being crosstalk dominated, to produce a light detection value or signal that is useful for detecting the presence, proximity and/or motion of an object within the sense region of the optical proximity sensor.