Proximity detection apparatus and associated methods having single photon avalanche diodes for determining a quality metric based upon the number of events
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
InventorDavid Patrick Baxter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A proximity detector may include an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and an illumination source. Illumination from the illumination source may be reflected by a target to the array of single photon avalanche diodes. The SPADs may be operable to detect events. A number of events detected may be dependent on a level of illumination incident on the SPADs. The proximity detector may then determine a quality metric and calculate an output when the quality metric is at a predetermined level. A related method may include regulating the quality of the data on which such a proximity detector apparatus calculates its output.
Claims25
A proximity detection apparatus comprising:
- an illumination source;
- an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) configured so that illumination from said illumination source is reflected by a target to said array of SPADs;
- and
- circuitry coupled to said array of SPADs and configured to
- determine a number of events based upon said array of SPADs,
- determine a quality metric based upon the number of events, and
- determine an output when the quality metric is at a threshold level.
A proximity detection apparatus comprising:
- an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) configured so that illumination is reflected by a target to said array of SPADs;
- and
- circuitry coupled to said array of SPADs and configured to
- determine a quality metric, and
- calculate an output when the quality metric is at a threshold level.
A method of regulating a quality of data output by a proximity detector comprising an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), the method comprising:
- turning on an illumination source so that illumination from the illumination source is reflected by a target to the array of SPADs;
- counting a number of events detected by the array of SPADs;
- determining a quality metric based upon the number of events counted;
- and
- calculating an output, when the quality metric is at a threshold level, and based upon the number of events counted.
A non-transitory computer readable medium for use with a proximity detection apparatus comprising an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), and having computer-executable instructions for causing the proximity detection apparatus to perform steps comprising:
- turning on an illumination source so that illumination from the illumination source is reflected by a target to the array of SPADs;
- counting a number of events detected by the array of SPADs;
- determining a quality metric based upon the number of events counted;
- and
- calculating an output, when the quality metric is at a threshold level, and based upon the number of events counted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.