An optical detector module

Abstract

This disclosure provides an optical detection module that can be used to implement proximity sensing functionality by detecting ambient light outside the optical detection module and based on a first detection threshold. The optical detection module can further be used to implement other active functions such as material detection (e.g., skin detection) or depth sensing by emitting one or more optical signals (e.g., optical pulses of a specific wavelength) and by detecting reflected optical signals associated with a second and / or third detection threshold. This disclosure provides a technical solution for actively monitoring the detection threshold of the optical detection module to achieve better power management. In some embodiments of this disclosure, these solutions are particularly effective for photodetectors with wide sensing bandwidths, such as photodetectors formed of germanium or photodetectors having absorption regions containing germanium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an optical detection module and a method for operating the optical detection module. Prior Technology

[0002] Sensors are widely used in a variety of applications, such as smartphones, wearable electronics, automated machinery, and autonomous driving, for object recognition, image enhancement, material identification, and other related applications. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The features and advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein will be partly set forth in the following description, or may be derived from the description, or by implementing the embodiments.

[0004] An illustrative example of this disclosure discloses a method for operating an optical detection module. The method includes (i) detecting ambient light by means of a receiving unit of the optical detection module. The method further includes (ii) obtaining a first integral value corresponding to the ambient light from the receiving unit by means of a processor. The method further includes (iii) determining by means of the processor whether the first integral value satisfies a first threshold condition. The method further includes (iv) in response to the determination that the first integral value does not satisfy the first threshold condition, sending one or more first control signals by means of a controller to (1) turn off a first light source of the transmitting unit of the optical detection module, wherein the first light source is configured to emit a first optical signal having a first peak wavelength, and turn off a second light source of the transmitting unit of the optical detection module, wherein the second light source is configured to emit a second optical signal having a second peak wavelength, or (2) reduce a detection frequency of the receiving unit. The method further includes (v) in response to determining that the first integral value meets the first threshold condition, sending one or more second control signals by a controller to activate the first light source of the transmitting unit of the optical detection module to emit a first optical signal having a first peak wavelength.

[0005] In some embodiments of this disclosure, (v) further includes (a) obtaining a second integral value corresponding to the first optical signal from the receiving unit by a processor. (v) includes (b) determining, by the processor, whether the second integral value satisfies a second threshold condition. (v) includes (c) in response to the determination that the second integral value satisfies the second threshold condition, sending one or more third control signals by a controller to activate the second light source of the transmitting unit of the optical detection module to emit a second optical signal having a second peak wavelength, wherein the first peak wavelength is different from the second peak wavelength. (v) includes (d) in response to the determination that the second integral value does not satisfy the second threshold condition, sending one or more fourth control signals by a controller to (1) turn off the second light source, or (2) reduce the detection frequency of the receiving unit.

[0006] In some embodiments of this disclosure, reducing the detection frequency of the receiving unit further includes (1) reducing the frequency at which the first light source emits the first optical signal, or reducing the frequency at which the second light source emits the second optical signal; or (2) reducing the operating frequency of the receiving unit.

[0007] In some embodiments of this disclosure, (a) further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a first background integral value of ambient light corresponding to a first reference time slot preceding a first target time slot. Furthermore, (a) further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a first foreground integral value corresponding to a combination of ambient light and a first optical signal during a first target time period. Furthermore, (a) further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a second background integral value of ambient light corresponding to a second reference time slot following the first target time slot. Furthermore, (a) further includes determining, by the processor, the average of the first background integral value and the second background integral value to obtain an average background integral value. Furthermore, (a) further includes determining, by the processor and based on the average background integral value, the first foreground integral value to determine the second integral value.

[0008] In some embodiments of this disclosure, (a) further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a first background integral value group corresponding to ambient light in a plurality of first reference time slots preceding a first target time slot. Furthermore, (a) further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a first foreground integral value corresponding to a combination of ambient light and a first optical signal in the first target time slot. Furthermore, (a) further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a second background integral value group corresponding to ambient light in a plurality of second reference time slots following the first target time slot. Furthermore, (a) further includes determining, by the processor, the average of the first background integral value group and the second background integral value group to obtain an average background integral value. Furthermore, (a) further includes determining, by the processor and based on the average background integral value, the first foreground integral value to determine the second integral value.

[0009] In some embodiments of this disclosure, (c) further includes detecting a second optical signal having a second peak wavelength by means of a processor of an optical detection module. Furthermore, (c) further includes obtaining a third integral value of the second optical signal by means of the processor. Furthermore, (c) further includes determining a comparison result between the second integral value and the third integral value by means of the processor. Furthermore, (c) further includes identifying a material of a target object by means of the processor and based on the comparison result.

[0010] In some embodiments of this disclosure, obtaining the third integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a third background integral value corresponding to ambient light in a third reference time slot preceding a second target time slot. Obtaining the third integral value also includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a second foreground integral value corresponding to the combination of ambient light and the second optical signal in the second target time slot. Obtaining the third integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a fourth background integral value corresponding to ambient light in a fourth reference time slot following the second target time slot. Obtaining the third integral value further includes, by the processor, determining the average of the third and fourth background integral values ​​to obtain an average background integral value. Obtaining the third integral value further includes, by the processor and based on the average background integral value, adjusting the second foreground integral value to determine the third integral value.

[0011] In some embodiments of this disclosure, obtaining the second integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a first background integral value corresponding to ambient light in a first reference time slot preceding a first target time slot. Obtaining the second integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a first foreground integral value corresponding to the combination of ambient light and a first optical signal in the first target time slot. Obtaining the second integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a second background integral value corresponding to ambient light in a second reference time slot following the first target time slot. Obtaining the second integral value further includes, by the processor, determining the average of the first background integral value and the second background integral value to obtain an average background integral value. Obtaining the second integral value further includes, by the processor and based on the average background integral value, adjusting the first foreground integral value to determine the second integral value.

[0012] In some embodiments of this disclosure, obtaining the third integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a group of third background integral values ​​corresponding to ambient light in a plurality of third reference time slots preceding a second target time slot. Obtaining the third integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a second foreground integral value corresponding to the combination of ambient light and a second optical signal in the second target time slot. Obtaining the third integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a group of fourth background integral values ​​corresponding to ambient light in a plurality of fourth reference time slots following the second target time slot. Obtaining the third integral value further includes, by the processor, determining the average of the third background integral value group and the fourth background integral value group to obtain an average background integral value. Obtaining the third integral value further includes, by the processor and based on the average background integral value, adjusting the second foreground integral value to determine the second integral value.

[0013] In some embodiments of this disclosure, obtaining the second integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a first background integral value group corresponding to ambient light in a plurality of first reference time slots preceding a first target time slot. Obtaining the second integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a first foreground integral value corresponding to the combination of ambient light and a first optical signal in the first target time slot. Obtaining the second integral value further includes obtaining, by the processor and from the receiving unit, a second background integral value group corresponding to ambient light in a plurality of second reference time slots following the first target time slot. Obtaining the second integral value further includes, by the processor, determining the average of the first background integral value group and the second background integral value group to obtain an average background integral value. Obtaining the second integral value further includes, by the processor, adjusting the first foreground integral value based on the average background integral value to determine the second integral value.

[0014] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the materials include human skin, wood, or fabric.

[0015] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the method further includes: determining, by a processor, that the material of the target object is skin; and repeating steps (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) in response to the determination that the material of the target object is not skin.

[0016] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the method further includes: determining, by a processor, that the material of the target object is skin; and, in response to determining that the material of the target object is skin, implementing a health sensing function, which includes determining at least one of a heart rate, a temperature, and a blood oxygen saturation.

[0017] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the method further includes: determining, by a processor, that the material of the target object is skin; and performing a biometric authentication operation in response to the determination that the material of the target object is skin.

[0018] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the method further includes: determining, by a processor, that the material of the target object is skin; and adjusting the operating parameters of one or more optical detection modules in response to the determination that the material of the target object is skin, so as to reduce the power consumption of the optical detection modules.

[0019] Another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure discloses an optical detection module, comprising: a receiving unit; a transmitting unit including a first light source configured to emit a first optical signal having a first peak wavelength, and a second light source configured to emit a second optical signal having a second peak wavelength; a processor electrically connected to the receiving unit; and a controller electrically connected to the receiving unit, the processor, and / or the transmitting unit; wherein the optical detection module is configured to perform operations including: detecting ambient light via the receiving unit of the optical detection module; obtaining a first integral value corresponding to the ambient light from the receiving unit via the processor; and processing... The device determines whether the first integral value meets a first threshold condition; in response to the determination that the first integral value does not meet the first threshold condition, the device sends one or more first control signals by a controller to (1) turn off a first light source of the transmitting unit of the optical detection module and turn off a second light source of the transmitting unit of the optical detection module, or (2) reduce a detection frequency of the receiving unit; and in response to the determination that the first integral value meets the first threshold condition, the device sends one or more second control signals by a controller to activate the first light source of the transmitting unit of the optical detection module to emit a first optical signal with a first peak wavelength.

[0020] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module is configured for use with a wireless earphone.

[0021] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module is configured for use in a wearable electronic device.

[0022] Another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure discloses a method for operating an optical detection module, comprising (i) obtaining, by a processor and from a receiving unit, a first background integral value corresponding to ambient light in a first reference time slot preceding a first target time slot. The method further comprises (ii) obtaining, by a processor and from the receiving unit, a first foreground integral value corresponding to a combination of ambient light and a target optical signal in the first target time slot. The method further comprises (iii) obtaining, by a processor and from the receiving unit, a second background integral value corresponding to ambient light in a second reference time slot following the first target time slot. The method further comprises (iv) determining, by a processor, the average of the first background integral value and the second background integral value to obtain an average background integral value. The method further comprises (v) determining, by a processor and based on the average background integral value, the first foreground integral value to determine the second integral value.

[0023] Another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure discloses a method for operating an optical detection module comprising a plurality of receiving units and a plurality of transmitting units corresponding to the plurality of receiving units, comprising: (i) detecting an ambient light by means of a receiving unit of at least one of the optical detection modules; (ii) obtaining a first integral value from the receiving unit corresponding to the ambient light by means of a processor; (iii) determining by means of the processor whether the first integral value satisfies a first threshold condition; (iv) in response to the determination that the first integral value does not satisfy the first threshold condition, sending one or more first control signals by means of a controller to (1) turn off one or more light sources of the plurality of transmitting units, or (2) reduce a detection frequency of each receiving unit; and (v) in response to the determination that the first integral value satisfies the first threshold condition, sending one or more second control signals by means of the controller to activate one or more light sources of the plurality of transmitting units of the optical detection module to emit a first optical signal having a first peak wavelength.

[0024] In some embodiments of this disclosure, (v) further includes, by means of a processor, obtaining a second integral value corresponding to the first optical signal and ambient light from one of the receiving units. Furthermore, (v) also includes, by means of a processor, determining whether the second integral value satisfies a second threshold condition. Furthermore, (v) further includes, in response to the determination that the second integral value satisfies the second threshold condition, by means of a controller, sending one or more fourth control signals to (1) activate one or more other light sources of the plurality of transmitting units. Furthermore, (v) further includes, in response to the determination that the second integral value does not satisfy the second threshold condition, by means of a controller, sending one or more third control signals to turn off at least one light source, or (2) reduce the detection frequency of the receiving unit corresponding to at least one light source.

[0025] Another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure discloses a pixel broadband sensor, comprising a carrier and a pixel array carried on the carrier and including a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a first photodetector unit having a first photodetector configured to receive a first optical signal in a first wavelength range and generate photocarriers in response to the first optical signal. Each pixel also includes a second photodetector unit having a second photodetector configured to receive a second optical signal in a second wavelength range and generate photocarriers in response to the second optical signal, wherein the first wavelength range is outside the visible light range and the second wavelength range is within the visible light range. Each pixel also includes a light source array having a plurality of light sources surrounding the pixel array.

[0026] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor disclosed herein, multiple light sources include light-emitting diodes or vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers.

[0027] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the pixel broadband sensor further includes an integrated circuit layer between the pixel array and the carrier, and the integrated circuit layer also includes a control circuit configured to control the pixel array.

[0028] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor disclosed herein, the integrated circuit layer includes one or more drivers configured to control a light source array, and the integrated circuit layer surrounds and is electrically coupled to the light source array.

[0029] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor disclosed herein, the pixel array is a one- or two-dimensional array.

[0030] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor disclosed herein, a first photodetector includes a first absorption region composed of a first material having germanium, and a second photodetector includes an RGB photodetector composed of a second material having silicon.

[0031] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor disclosed herein, the second light detector includes at least one blue light detector, a green light detector, or a red light detector.

[0032] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor disclosed herein, at least one first light detection unit or a second light detection unit is at least partially embedded in a substrate.

[0033] Another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure discloses a pixel broadband sensor assembly comprising a plurality of pixel broadband sensors. Each pixel broadband sensor includes a carrier and a pixel array carried on the carrier and including a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a first photodetector unit having a first photodetector configured to receive a first optical signal in a first wavelength range and generate photocarriers in response to the first optical signal. Each pixel also includes a second photodetector unit having a second photodetector configured to receive a second optical signal in a second wavelength range and generate photocarriers in response to the second optical signal. The first wavelength range is outside the visible light range, and the second wavelength range is within the visible light range. Each pixel also includes a light source array having a plurality of light sources surrounding the pixel array.

[0034] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, the pixel broadband sensor is arranged in a two-dimensional array.

[0035] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, multiple light sources include light-emitting diodes or vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers.

[0036] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the pixel broadband sensor further includes an integrated circuit layer between the pixel array and the carrier, wherein the integrated circuit layer further includes a control circuit configured to control the pixel array.

[0037] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, the integrated circuit layer includes one or more drivers configured to control a light source array, and the integrated circuit layer surrounds and is electrically coupled to the light source array.

[0038] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, the pixel array is a one- or two-dimensional array.

[0039] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, a first photodetector includes a first absorption region comprising a first material having germanium, and a second photodetector includes an RGB photodetector comprising a second material having silicon.

[0040] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, the second light detector includes at least one blue light detector, a green light detector, or a red light detector.

[0041] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, at least one first light detection unit or a second light detection unit is at least partially embedded in a substrate.

[0042] Another exemplary embodiment of this disclosure discloses a pixel broadband sensor. The pixel broadband sensor includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels. Each pixel further includes a first photodetector unit having a first photodetector configured to receive a first optical signal in a first wavelength range and generate photocarriers in response to the first optical signal. Each pixel further includes a second photodetector unit having a second photodetector configured to receive a second optical signal in a second wavelength range and generate photocarriers in response to the second optical signal, wherein the first wavelength range is outside the visible light range, and the second wavelength range is within the visible light range. Each pixel further includes a light source array having a plurality of light sources to emit light to a target object, wherein the light source array is disposed below the pixel array. Each pixel further includes a shielding layer between the light source array and the pixel array, configured to block light emitted by the light sources from being absorbed by the first photodetector unit and the second photodetector unit.

[0043] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, multiple light sources include light-emitting diodes or vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers.

[0044] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the pixel broadband sensor assembly further includes an integrated circuit layer between the pixel array and the shielding layer, wherein the integrated circuit layer further includes a control circuit configured to control the pixel array.

[0045] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor disclosed herein, the pixel array is a one- or two-dimensional array.

[0046] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, a first photodetector includes a first absorption region comprising germanium, and a second photodetector comprising an RGB photodetector comprising silicon.

[0047] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second light detector includes at least one blue light detector, a green light detector, or a red light detector.

[0048] In some embodiments of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein, at least one first light detection unit or a second light detection unit is at least partially embedded in a substrate.

[0049] Other examples of this application include systems, methods, apparatuses, sensors, electronic devices, tangible non-transitory computer-readable media, and memory elements relating to the technology described.

[0050] The above and other features, appearances and advantages of various embodiments will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims. The drawings, which form part of this specification, are intended to illustrate embodiments of the present application and to explain the related principles in conjunction with the description. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0051] The above-mentioned features and numerous advantages of this application will be more easily understood and appreciated through the following detailed description, together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an optical detection module in some embodiments of this disclosure; Figures 2A to 2E are flowcharts of methods for operating an optical detection module in some embodiments of this disclosure; Figures 3A to 3E are timing diagrams of the optical detection module operated by the method in some embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method for operating an optical detection module in some embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the optical detection module in some embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for operating an optical detection module in some embodiments of this disclosure; Figure 7A is a top view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7B shows the pixels of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7C shows the pixels of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7D is a cross-sectional view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure along the axis marked A-A' in Figure 7A; Figure 7E is a cross-sectional view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure along the axis marked A-A' in Figure 7A; Figure 8 shows a pixel of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the first photodetector unit and the second photodetector unit are connected to the same substrate; Figure 9 shows a pixel broadband sensor assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 10A is a top view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure along the axis marked B-B' in Figure 10A. Implementation

[0053] Optical detection modules can be used to achieve proximity sensing by detecting ambient light outside the module. They can be further used to achieve other active functions, such as material detection (e.g., skin detection) or depth sensing by emitting one or more optical signals (e.g., optical pulses of a specific wavelength) and detecting reflected light signals. As more and more functions are implemented by optical detection modules, power management becomes increasingly important. This disclosure provides technical solutions for optical detection modules that actively monitor detection thresholds to achieve better power management. In some embodiments of this disclosure, such solutions are suitable for optical detectors with wide sensing bandwidths, such as photodetectors formed of germanium or photodetectors containing germanium in their absorption regions.

[0054] Figure 1 illustrates an optical detection module 10, which includes a receiving unit 100, a transmitting unit 200, a processor 300 electrically communicating with the receiving unit 100, and a controller 400, processor 300, and / or transmitting unit 200 electrically communicating with the receiving unit 100. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the transmitting unit 200 includes a first light source 201 and a second light source 202. The first light source 201 is configured to emit a first optical signal having a first peak wavelength, and the second light source 202 is configured to emit a second optical signal having a second peak wavelength. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the first peak wavelength or the second peak wavelength is near-infrared (NIR) or short-wave infrared (SWIR) light, with a wavelength range greater than or equal to 700 nm, such as 850 nm, 940 nm, 1050 nm, 1064 nm, 1310 nm, 1350 nm, 1450 nm, 1550 nm, or any suitable wavelength range. In some embodiments disclosed herein, the first peak wavelength is different from the second peak wavelength. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first peak wavelength is approximately 1050 nm and the second peak wavelength is approximately 1450 nm. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the receiving unit 100 includes one or more photodetectors (e.g., germanium photodetectors) configured to generate photocarriers in response to received input optical signals.

[0055] Figures 2A to 2E illustrate flowcharts of the method for operating the optical detection module 10, and Figures 3A to 3E illustrate timing diagrams of the operation of the optical detection module 10 by the method according to some embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiments of this disclosure, as shown in Figure 3A, the processor 300 of the optical detection module 10 can measure multiple time periods A1 to A13 from time slot T0 to T13, while ambient light is always present and the receiving unit 100 is turned on during these time periods A1 to A13. The processor 300 obtains the integral value from the receiving unit 100 for each time period. The first light source 201 and / or the second light source 202 can be controlled to be selectively turned on based on the determination of the processor 300, as detailed below.

[0056] In some embodiments of this disclosure, as shown in FIG3B, the processor 300 of the optical detection module 10 can measure multiple time periods B1 to B13 from time slot T0 to T13, while ambient light is always present. When the receiving unit 100 is turned on, the processor 300 obtains the integral value from the receiving unit 100 for the corresponding time period. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the detection frequency of the receiving unit 100 can be controlled by the controller 400 based on the determination of the processor 300, as detailed below.

[0057] In some embodiments of this disclosure, as shown in FIG3C, the processor 300 of the optical detection module 10 can measure multiple time periods C1 to C10 from time slot T0 to T10, while ambient light is always present and the receiving unit 100 is turned on during these time periods C1 to C10. The processor 300 obtains the integral value from the receiving unit 100 for each time period. In some embodiments of this disclosure, based on the determination of the processor 300 as detailed below, the frequency of the first optical signal emitted by the first light source 201 can be controlled in order to control the detection frequency of the receiving unit 100.

[0058] In some embodiments of this disclosure, as shown in FIG3D, the processor 300 of the optical detection module 10 can measure multiple time periods D1 to D10 from time slot T0 to T10, while ambient light is always present and the receiving unit 100 is turned on during these time periods D1 to D10. The processor 300 obtains the integral value from the receiving unit 100 for each time period. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the integral value of the solid line in the target time slot (e.g., T1 to T2, T3 to T4, T5 to T6, T7 to T8, T9 to T10) can be obtained by adjusting the foreground integral value of the dashed line, as detailed below.

[0059] In some embodiments of this disclosure, as shown in FIG3E, the processor 300 of the optical detection module 10 can measure multiple time periods E1 to E10 from time slot T0 to T10, while ambient light is always present and the receiving unit 100 is turned on during these time periods E1 to E10. The processor 300 obtains the integral value from the receiving unit 100 for each time period. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the integral value of the solid line in the target time slot (e.g., T1 to T2, T3 to T4, T5 to T6, T7 to T8, T9 to T10) can be obtained by adjusting the foreground integral value of the dashed line, as detailed below.

[0060] In some embodiments of this disclosure, as described in Figures 2A to 2E, the timing diagrams shown in Figures 3A to 3E are exemplary embodiments illustrating the sequence of some operational steps of the optical detection module 10. The arrangement of time slots is not limited to that shown in Figures 3A to 3E. For example, in some embodiments, time slot A4 in Figure 3A can be inserted between time slots E1 to E2, between time slots E3 to E4, between time slots E5 to E6, between time slots E7 to E8, and between time slots E9 to E10.

[0061] Referring to S1 in Figure 2A, the optical detection module 10 detects ambient light via the receiving unit 100. For example, the ambient light can be diffuse light from the environment, wherein the wavelength of the diffuse light may or may not correspond to the operating wavelength of the first light source 201 or the second light source 202.

[0062] Referring to S3 in Figure 2A, the optical detection module 10 obtains a first integral value corresponding to ambient light from the receiving unit 100 via the processor 300. For example, referring to Figure 3A, the integral values ​​in time periods A1, A3, A9, A11, A12, and A13 correspond to ambient light because neither the first light source 201 nor the second light source 202 is turned on during these periods.

[0063] Referring to S5 in FIG2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module 10 can determine, via processor 300, whether a first integral value satisfies a first threshold condition. For example, referring to FIG3A, processor 300 can determine whether a first integral value (e.g., A1, A3, A9, A11, A12, A13) is less than a first value Va. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first value Va includes a predetermined value. In other embodiments, the first value Va includes a dynamic determination value that can be periodically improved and / or adjusted based on multiple operating parameters (e.g., environmental conditions, personalized applications).

[0064] Referring to S6 in Figure 2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, in response to the determination that the first integral value does not meet the first threshold condition (e.g., the first integral value is greater than the first value Va), the optical detection module 10 may send one or more first control signals via the controller 400 to turn off the first light source 201 of the transmitting unit 200 of the optical detection module 10 and to turn off the second light source 202 of the transmitting unit 200 of the optical detection module 10. The first light source 201 is configured to emit a first optical signal having a first peak wavelength, and the second light source 202 is configured to emit a second optical signal having a second peak wavelength. Referring to Figure 3A as an example, during time period A11, if the first integral value corresponding to ambient light is greater than the first value Va, the processor 300 determines that the first integral value does not meet the first threshold condition, meaning that the ambient light is sufficient or the receiving unit 100 is not close to the target. Therefore, during time period A12, the controller 400 sends one or more first control signals to turn off both the first light source 201 and the second light source 202.

[0065] In some embodiments of this disclosure, in response to the determination that the first integral value does not meet the first threshold condition (e.g., the first integral value is greater than the first value Va), the optical detection module 10 can send one or more first control signals via the controller 400 to reduce the detection frequency or detection time of the receiving unit 100. Referring to FIG3B as an example, the receiving unit 100 can be turned on and off every cycle. In some embodiments of this disclosure, reducing the detection frequency of the receiving unit 100 may include reducing the operating frequency or operating time of the receiving unit 100, for example, reducing the on-time of the receiving unit 100, for example, comparing time periods B12 to B13 with time periods B1 to B3 and time periods B6 to B9. In some embodiments of this disclosure, reducing the operating frequency or operating time of the receiving unit 100 may include increasing the off-time of the receiving unit 100, for example, comparing time periods B9 to B11 with time periods B4 to B5.

[0066] Referring to S7 of Figure 2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, in response to the determination that the first integral value meets a first threshold condition (e.g., the first integral value is less than or equal to the first value Va), the optical detection module 10 may send one or more second control signals via the controller 400 to activate the first light source 201 of the transmitting unit 200 of the optical detection module 10 to emit a first optical signal having a first peak wavelength. Referring to Figure 3A as an example, during time period A1, if the first integral value corresponding to ambient light is less than the first value Va, the processor 300 determines that the first integral value meets the first threshold condition, meaning that the receiving unit 100 is close to the target or the ambient light is weak. Therefore, during time period A2, the controller 400 activates the first light source 201 to emit the first optical signal.

[0067] According to this disclosure, since the first light source 201 is activated based on a threshold condition for ambient light (e.g., a first threshold condition), the optical detection module 10 can therefore benefit from power saving. In other words, when the ambient light intensity is sufficient, i.e., when the first threshold condition is not met, the first light source and the second light source can be set to sleep mode to save power, or the operating frequency of the receiving unit 100 can be reduced to save power.

[0068] Referring to S9 in FIG2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, in response to the determination that the first integral value meets the first threshold condition (e.g., the first integral value is less than or equal to the first value Va), the optical detection module 10 can obtain the second integral value (e.g., the integral values ​​of time periods A2, A4, A6, A8, and A10 in FIG3A) from the receiving unit 100 via the processor 300, which corresponds to the first optical signal and ambient light received from the receiving unit 100.

[0069] In some embodiments disclosed herein, the second integral value may be adjusted based on the collection of ambient light and / or reflected light over time, thereby averaging the ambient light to obtain a smoothed or corrected background value, and thus obtaining a second integral value that more accurately corresponds to the first optical signal. Some exemplary embodiments of S9 in FIG2A are described in FIG2B, FIG2C and FIG3D thereafter.

[0070] Figure 2B shows an example flowchart for obtaining the second integral value. Referring to S911 of Figure 2B and Figure 3D, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module 10, via the processor 300 and from the receiving unit 100, obtains a first background integral value (e.g., the integral value of D1 in Figure 3D), which corresponds to the ambient light in a first reference time slot (e.g., T0 to T1 in Figure 3D) preceding the first target time slot (e.g., T1 to T2 in Figure 3D). In some embodiments of this disclosure, neither the first light source 201 nor the second light source 202 is turned on in the reference time slots (e.g., the first and second reference time slots as described later). In some embodiments of this disclosure, in the first target time slot, the first light source 201 is on and the second light source 202 is off.

[0071] Referring to S912 in Figure 2B and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10 can further obtain, through the processor 300 and from the receiving unit 100, a first foreground integral value (e.g., the integral value shown by the dashed line in Figure 3D) corresponding to the combination of ambient light and the first optical signal in the first target time slot (e.g., T1 to T2 in Figure 3D).

[0072] Referring to S913 in Figure 2B and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10 can further obtain, via the processor 300 and from the receiving unit 100, the second background integral value of the ambient light in the second reference time slot (e.g., T2 to T3 in Figure 3D) corresponding to the first target time slot (e.g., T1 to T2 in Figure 3D).

[0073] Referring to S914 in Figure 2B and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10, through the processor 300, can further determine the average of the first background integral value (e.g., the integral value of D1 in Figure 3D) and the second background integral value (e.g., the integral value of D3 in Figure 3D) to obtain the average background integral value.

[0074] Referring to S915 in Figure 2B and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10, through the processor 300 and based on the average background integral value, can further obtain and adjust the first foreground integral value (e.g., the integral value of the dashed line shown in D2 in Figure 3D) to determine the second integral value (e.g., the integral value of the solid line shown in D2 in Figure 3D). That is, the integral value of the solid line corresponds more accurately to the first optical signal.

[0075] Figure 2C shows a flowchart of obtaining the second integral value in another embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to S921 of Figure 2C and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10, via the processor 300 and from the receiving unit 100, can obtain a group of first background integral values ​​of ambient light (e.g., integral values ​​of D1, D3, and D5 in Figure 3D) corresponding to a plurality of first reference time slots (e.g., T0 to T1, T2 to T3, and T4 to T5 in Figure 3D) preceding the first target time slot (e.g., T5 to T6 in Figure 3D). In some embodiments of this disclosure, as previously described, neither the first light source 201 nor the second light source 202 is turned on during the reference time slots (e.g., the first reference time slot and the second reference time slot).

[0076] Referring to S922 in Figure 2C and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10 can further obtain, through the processor 300 and from the receiving unit 100, a first foreground integral value (e.g., the integral value shown by the dashed line in Figure 3D) corresponding to the combination of ambient light and the first optical signal in the first target time slot (e.g., T5 to T6 in Figure 3D).

[0077] Referring to S923 in Figure 2C and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10, through the processor 300 and from the receiving unit 100, can further obtain a group of second background integral values ​​of ambient light in a plurality of second reference time slots (e.g., T6 to T7, T8 to T9 in Figure 3D) corresponding to the first target time slot (e.g., T5 to T6 in Figure 3D).

[0078] Referring to S924 in Figure 2C and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10, through the processor 300, can further determine the average of the first background integration value group (e.g., the integration values ​​of D1, D3, and D5 in Figure 3D) and the second background integration value group (e.g., the integration values ​​of D7 and D9 in Figure 3D) to obtain the average background integration value.

[0079] Referring to S925 in Figure 2C and Figure 3D, the optical detection module 10, through the processor 300 and based on the average background integral value, can further adjust the first foreground integral value (e.g., the integral value of the dashed line shown in D6 of Figure 3D) to determine the second integral value (e.g., the integral value of the solid line shown in D6 of Figure 3D). That is, the integral value of the solid line corresponds more accurately to the first optical signal.

[0080] Referring to S11 in Figure 2A and Figure 3A, the optical detection module 10, through the processor 300, determines whether the second integral value satisfies a second threshold condition, such as whether the second integral value (e.g., the integral values ​​of A2, A4, A6, A8, and A10 in Figure 3A) is greater than or equal to the second value Vb. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second value Vb includes a predetermined value. In other embodiments, the second value Vb includes a dynamic determination value that can be periodically improved and / or adjusted based on multiple operating parameters (e.g., environmental conditions, personalized applications).

[0081] In S13, in some embodiments of this disclosure, in response to the determination that the second integral value meets the second threshold condition (e.g., the second integral value is greater than or equal to the second value Vb), the optical detection module 10, via the controller 400, can send one or more third control signals to activate the second light source 202 of the transmitting unit 200 of the optical detection module 10 to emit a second optical signal with a second peak wavelength, wherein the second peak wavelength is different from the first peak wavelength. Referring to FIG3A as an example, during time period A4, the second integral value corresponding to the first optical signal and ambient light is greater than the second value Vb, and the processor 300 determines that the second integral value meets the second threshold condition, that is, the receiving unit 100 is close to the target. Therefore, during time period A5, the controller 400 activates the second light source 202.

[0082] Referring to S12 of Figure 2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, in response to the determination that the second integral value does not meet the second threshold condition (e.g., the second integral value is less than the second value Vb), the optical detection module 10 may send one or more fourth control signals via the controller 400 to turn off the second light source 202. Referring to Figure 3A as an example, during time period A8, if the second integral value corresponding to the first optical signal and ambient light is less than the second value Vb, the processor 300 determines that the second integral value does not meet the second threshold condition, meaning the target may be moving away from the receiving unit 100. Therefore, during time period A9, the controller 400 turns off the second light source 202 to save power.

[0083] In some embodiments of this disclosure, in response to the determination that the second integral value does not meet the second threshold condition (e.g., the second integral value is less than the second value Vb), the optical detection module 10, via the controller 400, can send one or more fourth control signals to reduce the detection frequency of the receiving unit 100. As previously mentioned, referring to FIG3B as an example, reducing the detection frequency of the receiving unit 100 may include turning the receiving unit 100 on and off every cycle. In some embodiments of this disclosure, reducing the detection frequency of the receiving unit 100 may include reducing the operating frequency or operating time of the receiving unit 100, for example, reducing the on-time of the receiving unit 100, for example, comparing time periods B12 to B13 with time periods B1 to B3 and time periods B6 to B9. In some embodiments of this disclosure, reducing the operating frequency of the receiving unit 100 may include increasing the off-time of the receiving unit 100, for example, comparing time periods B9 to B11 with time periods B4 to B5.

[0084] In some embodiments of this disclosure, referring to Figures 3A and 3C, in another embodiment, when the optical detection module 10 is placed in an environment with sufficient ambient light intensity, after multiple consecutive time periods, when the first integral value is greater than or equal to the first value Va, for example, time periods A11 to A13 and C1, the first light source 201 can be turned on by the processor 300 (e.g., time period C2 in Figure 3C) to actively determine whether the second integral value meets the second threshold condition. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first light source 201 can be turned on or off in each cycle to save power.

[0085] In some embodiments disclosed herein, the optical signal originates from the reflection of a target object. For example, when an object is approaching the optical detection module 10, the second integral value may be greater than or equal to a predetermined value (e.g., the second value Vb), thus satisfying the second threshold condition. Accordingly, upon receiving the third control signal, the second light source 202 will be activated.

[0086] According to this disclosure, since the second light source 202 is activated based on a threshold condition for the optical signal emitted by the first light source 201, the optical detection module 10 can therefore benefit from power saving. In other words, when the second integral value does not meet the second threshold condition, the second light source 202 can enter a sleep mode to save power. Therefore, the optical detection module 10 can further benefit from power saving.

[0087] Referring to S15 of FIG2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, in response to the determination that the second integral value meets the second threshold condition (e.g., the second integral value is greater than or equal to the second value Vb), the optical detection module 10 can detect a second optical signal having a second peak wavelength through its receiving unit 100.

[0088] Referring to S17 of FIG2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module 10 can obtain a third integral value corresponding to the second optical signal by means of the processor 300.

[0089] Referring to S19 of Figure 2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module 10, via the processor 300, can determine the comparison result of the second integral value and the third integral value. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the comparison result of the second integral value and the third integral value can be achieved by the ratio of the second integral value and the third integral value. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the comparison result of the second integral value and the third integral value can be achieved by different related combinations of the second integral value and the third integral value (e.g., the difference between the second integral value and the third integral value).

[0090] Referring to S21 of Figure 2A, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module 10, by means of the processor 300 and based on a comparison result (or other suitable relationship between the second and third integral values), can identify the material of the target. In some embodiments of this disclosure, material identification in S21 includes human skin, wood, or fabric. For example, when the ratio of the second and third integral values ​​is between 0.8 and 1.2, the material can be identified as human skin.

[0091] The ability to identify target materials can be used in a variety of applications. One example is in robotic vacuum cleaners or other automated machines that move along floor surfaces, where the target material corresponds to that surface. Determining whether the floor surface is carpet, hard flooring, or another material can help optimize the automated machine's navigation, cleaning, or other functions.

[0092] Other applications of this disclosure include food freshness analysis, where the target can be food consumables (e.g., fruits, vegetables, coffee beans, etc.). Detecting the water content or composition of water in food consumables can help characterize the food material according to the desired range of food freshness.

[0093] Other applications of this disclosure include object detection, where the target object can be an object detected in the surrounding environment by an automated machine (e.g., a self-driving car). Detecting the material associated with the target object can help determine the type of object, such as whether it is a vehicle, pedestrian, or other item.

[0094] Other applications of this disclosure include smart wireless earphones. The disclosed technology can be used to detect when a wireless earphone is placed in and removed from the ear. For example, determining (e.g., in step S5) whether a first integral value meets a first threshold condition can effectively monitor whether the optical detection module in the smart wireless earphone is near or inside a hole based on ambient light signals. After the earphone has been determined to be near or inside a hole, a series of determinations (e.g., based on steps S11-S23) are used to determine whether the earphone is in close contact with human skin. If the material of the target object is determined to be human skin in step S23, the wireless earphone is likely already placed in the human ear, rather than being placed on a table, in an earphone case, or in close contact with a different surface. Using the function of verifying the placement of the smart wireless earphone provides benefits such as power saving and improved performance.

[0095] Referring to S23 in Figure 2A, the optical detection module 10, through the processor 300 and based on the identification of the target material in step S21, can determine whether the material of the target object is skin.

[0096] Referring to S25 in Figure 2A, in response to the determination that the material of the target object is not skin, the optical detection module 10 can schedule the next detection. The scheduling can include a guiding method to return to the step of detecting ambient light by the receiving unit 100 of the optical detection module 10 (e.g., S1 in Figure 2A).

[0097] Referring to S27 of Figure 2A, in response to the determination in step S23 that the material of the target object is skin, the optical detection module 10 can perform a different function control via the processor 300.

[0098] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the functional control performing step S27 may be included in implementing a low-power control mode within the optical detection module 10. For example, the low-power control mode may include shifting one or more multi-source lights (e.g., the first source light 201 and / or the second source light 202 of FIG. 1) to a sleep mode to save power. In another embodiment, the low-power control mode may additionally or alternatively include reducing the operating frequency of the receiving unit 100, thereby consuming less operating power at least for a period of time.

[0099] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the functional control for performing step S27 may include reducing the current level used by the transmitting unit Tx (e.g., transmitting unit 200 in FIG1), since the determination that the material of the target object is skin has already been made in step S23, and therefore there is no need to use a high current to perform additional sensing operations.

[0100] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the functional control performing step S27 may include activating a health sensing function via processor 300. For example, the health sensing function may include determining health parameters of a human user using a device (e.g., a fitness tracker, or other wearable consumer electronics, health monitoring device, or other medical electronic device), wherein the device has an optical detection module 10. Examples of health parameters that can be determined by the health sensing function in step S27 may include heart rate or other parameters related to heart rate, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation (e.g., SpO2 levels measured by a pulse oximeter), or other health parameters that can be determined by optical sensing technology, wherein the optical sensing technology is configured to identify health parameters based on the determination result of processor 300.

[0101] In some embodiments disclosed herein, activating the health sensing function in step S27 may involve increasing the current level utilized by the transmitting unit (e.g., transmitting unit 200) and the gain of the switching impedance amplifier associated with the switching impedance amplifier in the receiving unit (e.g., receiving unit 100) to obtain a signal more suitable for achieving the health sensing function. For example, during the phases associated with proximity and skin detection (e.g., S21, S23 of FIG. 2A), the processor 300 can obtain the average current level when the LED is turned on. Based on the determination of the average current value when the LED is turned on, the operating signal can be adjusted during the phases associated with the health sensing function (e.g., S27 of FIG. 2A). For example, based on the determination of the average current value when the LED is turned on, a DC current can be applied to the input of the switching impedance amplifier, and the gain of the switching impedance amplifier can therefore be increased to amplify the AC signal obtained during the health sensing function.

[0102] In some embodiments of this disclosure, activating the health sensing function in step S27 may additionally or alternatively involve increasing the sampling frequency at which the measurement results are obtained in order to achieve better sampling resolution for the health sensing function.

[0103] In some embodiments disclosed herein, the functional control performing step S27 may include performing a biometric authentication operation. For example, when a device operated by a human user (e.g., an electronic device) includes an optical detection module 10, the authentication operation may be performed to allow the human user to use some or all of the device's functions. The biometric authentication operation may include, for example, fingerprint detection, face detection, optical detection, etc. The advantage of this technology is evident in step S23, which determines that the material of the target object is skin, prior to the authentication operation performed in step S27. Such advantages include improved success rates for accurate biometric identification and authentication, as the processor is not fooled by fingerprints or facial photographs.

[0104] In some embodiments of this disclosure, similar to the second integral value, the third integral value can be adjusted based on ambient light and / or reflected light collected over time. Therefore, the ambient light is averaged to obtain a smoothed or corrected background value, resulting in a third integral value that more accurately corresponds to the second optical signal. Some exemplary embodiments of S17 in FIG2A are described in FIG2D, FIG2E and FIG3E described below.

[0105] Figure 2D shows a flowchart of obtaining the third integral value in one embodiment of this disclosure. Referring to S17 of Figure 2A, S1711 of Figure 2D, and Figure 3E, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 of Figure 2A further includes obtaining, by the processor 300, a third background integral value of the ambient light in a third reference time slot (e.g., T0 to T1 in Figure 3E) preceding the second target time slot (e.g., T1 to T2 in Figure 3E) from the receiving unit 100. In some embodiments of this disclosure, neither the first light source 201 nor the second light source 202 is turned on in the reference time slots (e.g., the third and fourth reference time slots described later). In some embodiments of this disclosure, in the second target time slot, the first light source 201 is off and the second light source 202 is on.

[0106] Referring to S1712 in FIG2D and FIG3E, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 further includes obtaining, by the processor 300 and the receiving unit 100, a second foreground integral value (e.g., the integral value shown by the dashed line in FIG3E) corresponding to the combination of ambient light and the second optical signal in the second target time slot (e.g., T1 to T2 in FIG3E).

[0107] Referring to S1713 in FIG2D and FIG3E, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 further includes obtaining, by the processor 300 and the receiving unit 100, a fourth background integral value (e.g., the integral value of E3 in FIG3E) of the ambient light in the fourth reference time slot following the second target time slot (e.g., T1 to T2 in FIG3E).

[0108] Referring to S1714 in FIG2D and FIG3E, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 further includes determining the average of the third background integral value (e.g., the integral value of E1 in FIG3E) and the fourth background integral value (e.g., the integral value of E3 in FIG3E) by the processor 300 to obtain the average background integral value.

[0109] Referring to S1715 in FIG2D and FIG3E, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 further includes adjusting the second foreground integral value (e.g., the integral value of the dashed line shown in E2 in FIG3E) by the processor 300 based on the average background integral value to determine the third integral value (e.g., the integral value of the solid line shown in E2 in FIG3E). That is, the integral value of the solid line is more accurately associated with the second optical signal.

[0110] Figure 2E shows a flowchart of obtaining the third integral value in another embodiment. Referring to S1721 of Figure 2E and Figure 3E, in some embodiments of this disclosure, step S17 of Figure 2A, which obtains the third integral value, further includes obtaining, by the processor 300 and from the receiving unit 100, a group of third background integral values ​​(e.g., integral values ​​of E1, E3, and E5 in Figure 3E) of ambient light corresponding to a plurality of third reference time slots (e.g., T0 to T1, T2 to T3, and T4 to T5 in Figure 3E) preceding the second target time slot (e.g., T5 to T6 in Figure 3E). In some embodiments of this disclosure, as previously described, neither the first light source 201 nor the second light source 202 is turned on during the reference time slots (e.g., the third and fourth reference time slots).

[0111] Referring to S1722 in FIG2E and FIG3E, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 further includes obtaining, by the processor 300 and the receiving unit 100, a second foreground integral value (e.g., the integral value shown by the dashed line in FIG3E) corresponding to the combination of ambient light and the second optical signal in the second target time slot (e.g., T5 to T6 in FIG3E).

[0112] Referring to S1723 in FIG2E and FIG3E, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 further includes obtaining, by the processor 300 and the receiving unit 100, a group of fourth background integral values ​​(e.g., integral values ​​of E7 and E9 in FIG3E) of ambient light in a plurality of fourth reference time slots (e.g., T6 to T7 and T8 to T9 in FIG3E) following the second target time slot (e.g., T5 to T6 in FIG3E).

[0113] Referring to S1724 in FIG2E and FIG3E, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 further includes, by the processor 300, determining the average of the third background integral value group (e.g., the integral values ​​of E1, E3, and E5 in FIG3E) and the fourth background integral value group (e.g., the integral values ​​of E7 and E9 in FIG3E) to obtain the average background integral value.

[0114] Referring to S1725 in Figure 2E and Figure 3E, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the step of obtaining the third integral value in S17 further includes adjusting the second foreground integral value (e.g., the integral value of the dashed line shown in E6 of Figure 3E) by the processor 300 based on the average background integral value to determine the third integral value (e.g., the integral value of the solid line shown in E6 of Figure 3E). That is, the integral value of the solid line corresponds more accurately to the second optical signal.

[0115] It should be understood that the time slots depicted in Figures 3A to 3E are used to calculate integral values ​​based on illustrative examples corresponding to the technology disclosed herein. The signal timing and analysis depicted in Figures 3A to 3E use multiplexing time slots because the optical detection module 10 of Figure 1 includes a transmitting unit (e.g., transmitting unit 200) and a receiving unit (e.g., receiving unit 100), and the transmitting unit also includes multiple light sources (e.g., a first light source 201 and a second light source 202). Although a smaller number of transmitter and receiver elements may be used to reduce cost and power consumption, other optical detection modules using different numbers of transmitters and receivers may use signal timing analysis with settings different from those depicted in Figures 3A to 3E.

[0116] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first reference time slot and the third reference time slot may be the same time slot, depending on the time slot arrangement. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second reference time slot and the fourth reference time slot may be the same time slot, depending on the time slot arrangement.

[0117] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for operating an optical detection module 10 in some embodiments of this disclosure. S30 discloses a method for operating the optical detection module 10. Referring to S31 of Figure 4, method S30 includes obtaining, by processor 300 and from receiving unit 100 of the optical detection module 10, a first background integral value of ambient light in a first reference time slot preceding a target time slot. In some embodiments of this disclosure, no light source (e.g., first light source 201 and second light source 202) is turned on in the reference time slots (e.g., the first reference time slot and the second reference time slot as described below).

[0118] Referring to S32 in Figure 4, method S30 further includes obtaining, by processor 300 and from receiving unit 100, a foreground integral value corresponding to the combination of ambient light and target optical signal in the target time slot.

[0119] Referring to S33 in Figure 4, method S30 further includes obtaining, by processor 300 and from receiving unit 100, a second background integral value of ambient light in a second reference time slot corresponding to the target time slot.

[0120] Referring to S34 in Figure 4, method S30 further includes determining the average of the first background integral value and the second background integral value by means of processor 300, so as to obtain an average background integral value.

[0121] Referring to S35 in Figure 4, method S30 further includes adjusting the foreground integral value by the processor 300 and based on the average background integral value to determine the correction integral value.

[0122] According to this disclosure, since the correction integral value is obtained based on multiple background integral values, the signal output of the optical detection module 10 is a signal with improved accuracy.

[0123] Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of this disclosure where the optical detection module 50 has multiple receiving units 501 and 502 and multiple transmitting units 503 and 504 corresponding to the receiving units 501 and 502, respectively. Each of the multiple transmitting units 503 and 504 includes a light source 5031, 5041, configured to emit an optical signal with a peak wavelength. The peak wavelengths of the optical signals emitted by the light sources 5031 and 5041 may be substantially the same or different. The optical detection module 50 also includes a processor 505 electrically communicating with the receiving units 501 and 502, and a controller 506 electrically communicating with the processor 505 and the transmitting units 503 and 504. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the peak wavelength is within the invisible light wavelength range, greater than or equal to 700 nm, such as 850 nm, 940 nm, 1050 nm, 1064 nm, 1310 nm, 1350 nm, 1450 nm, 1550 nm, or any suitable wavelength range. In some embodiments of this disclosure, each receiving unit 501 and 502 includes one or more photodetectors configured to generate photocarriers in response to a received input optical signal. In some embodiments of this disclosure, if the peak wavelengths of the optical signals emitted by light sources 5031 and 5041 are different, to avoid crosstalk between the multiple receiving units 501 and 502, each receiving unit 501 and 502 includes an optical filter for having wavelength ranges corresponding to the peak wavelengths of the optical signals emitted by light sources 5031 and 5041.

[0124] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the operation of the optical detection module 50 in one embodiment of this disclosure. In S611, the optical detection module 50 detects ambient light by means of at least one receiving unit (e.g., receiving unit 501).

[0125] In S613, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module 50 obtains a first integral value corresponding to ambient light from the receiving unit (e.g., receiving unit 501) via the processor 505.

[0126] In S615, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical detection module 50 determines, via processor 505, whether the first integral value satisfies a first threshold condition, for example, whether the first integral value is less than or equal to the first threshold. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first threshold includes a predetermined value. In other embodiments of this disclosure, the first threshold includes a dynamic determination value that can be periodically improved and / or adjusted based on multiple operating parameters (e.g., environmental conditions, personalized applications).

[0127] In S616, in response to the determination that the first integral value does not meet the first threshold condition (e.g., the first integral value is greater than the first threshold), the optical detection module 50 sends one or more first control signals through the controller 506 to (1) turn off the light source of the multiple transmitting units 503 and / or 504, or (2) reduce the detection frequency of each receiving unit 501 and / or 502.

[0128] In S617, in response to the determination that the first integral value meets the first threshold condition (e.g., the first integral value is lower than or equal to the first threshold), the optical detection module 50 sends one or more second control signals through the controller 506 to activate one or more light sources 5041 and / or 5031 among the multiple transmitting units 503 and / or 504 of the optical detection module 50 to emit a first optical signal with a first peak wavelength.

[0129] In S619, in response to the determination that the first integral value meets the first threshold condition (e.g., the first integral value is less than or equal to the first threshold), the optical detection module 50 can further obtain, via the processor 505 and from one of the receiving units (e.g., receiving unit 501), a second integral value corresponding to at least the first optical signal having a first peak wavelength and the ambient light. In some embodiments of this disclosure, if a plurality of light sources 5041 and 5031 emitting different peak wavelengths are activated based on a threshold condition for ambient light (e.g., the first threshold condition), the plurality of integral values ​​corresponding to different optical signals obtained from the plurality of receiving units 501 and 502 can be obtained simultaneously, thus improving efficiency.

[0130] Since one or more light sources 5041 and / or 5031 are activated based on a threshold condition for ambient light, the optical detection module 50 can therefore benefit from power saving. In other words, when the ambient light intensity is sufficient, i.e., when the first threshold condition is not met, one or more light sources can be set to sleep mode to save power, or the operating frequency of the plurality of receiving units 501 and 502 can be reduced to save power.

[0131] In S621, the optical detection module 50 can further determine, through the processor 505, whether the second integral value meets the second threshold condition, for example, whether the second integral value is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0132] In S623, in response to the determination that the second integral value meets the second threshold condition (e.g., the second integral value is greater than or equal to the second threshold), the optical detection module 50 may send one or more third control signals through the controller 506 to (1) activate another or more light sources 5031 and / or 5041 among the multiple transmitting units 503 and 504.

[0133] In S622, in response to the determination that the second integral value does not meet the second threshold condition (e.g., the second integral value is less than the second threshold), the optical detection module 50 may send one or more fourth control signals through the controller 506 to turn off at least one light source 5031 and / or 5041, or (2) reduce the detection frequency of the receiving unit 502 corresponding to at least one light source 5031 and / or 5041.

[0134] According to this disclosure, since at least one of the multiple light sources is activated based on an optical signal emitted to another light source, the optical detection module can benefit from power savings when at least one light source is in sleep mode or the detection frequency of the receiving unit is lower to conserve power. By selectively controlling the light sources, the optical detection module can be configured to emit light only when necessary. This process can be iteratively improved to achieve even better power consumption reduction in the optical detection module.

[0135] This disclosure further provides a pixel broadband sensor supporting multiple wavelength ranges, including visible light (e.g., wavelength range of 380nm to 780nm, or a similar wavelength range defined by a specific application), near-infrared light (NIR, e.g., wavelength range of 780nm to 1400nm, or a similar wavelength range defined by a specific application), and short-wave infrared light (SWIR, e.g., wavelength range of 1400nm to 3000nm, or a similar wavelength range defined by a specific application). Combining multi-wavelength sensing across a broadband range (e.g., visible light and NIR) can enable short-range applications such as true wireless stereo (TWS), under-display fingerprint sensing, contactless or 3D fingerprint sensing, and camera and depth sensing fusion on a single-module platform. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the technical features defined in this disclosure shown in Figures 7A to 10B can be implemented in the optical detection module of any of Figures 1 to 5; however, other implementations may also be used additionally or alternatively.

[0136] Figure 7A illustrates a top view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7B shows a pixel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The pixel broadband sensor 700a includes a carrier (e.g., element 780 in Figure 7D, such as a PCB board or substrate) and a pixel array 720 carried on the carrier 780. The pixel array 720 includes a plurality of pixels 721 and may be a two-dimensional array. Referring to Figure 7B, the plurality of pixels 721 includes a first photodetector unit 710 and a second photodetector unit 712. The plurality of pixels 721 may be the same or different. For example, referring to Figure 7B, the plurality of pixels 721 may be the same, and each of the plurality of pixels 721 includes a first photodetector unit 710 and a second photodetector unit 712. The first photodetector unit 710 includes a first photodetector 711 configured to receive a first optical signal in a first wavelength range and generate photocarriers in response to the first optical signal. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first light detection unit 710 may include a plurality of first light detectors 711. The first wavelength range is within the invisible light range, for example, in the infrared band, such as the near-infrared (NIR) band or the short-wave infrared (SWIR) band, for example, not less than 800 nm (e.g., 7800 to 2500 nm or 1400 nm to 3000 nm). In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first optical signal is reflected from the target object. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first light detection unit 710 is configured to perform depth sensing by direct or indirect time-of-flight (TOF) ranging. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first light detection unit 710 is configured for proximity sensing. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first light detection unit 710 is configured for image sensing.

[0137] The second photodetector unit 712 includes a second photodetector (e.g., a green light detector 714, a red light detector 715, or a blue light detector 713) configured to receive at least one second optical signal in a second wavelength range and to generate photocarriers in response to the second optical signal. The second wavelength range is in the visible light range, for example, approximately between 380 nm and 780 nm. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second light detection unit 712 further includes a blue light detector 713, a green light detector 714, and a red light detector 715. The blue light detector 713 is configured to receive optical signals in the blue light band, such as optical signals between 380 nm and 495 nm; the green light detector 714 is configured to receive optical signals in the green light band, such as optical signals between 495 nm and 570 nm; and the red light detector 715 is configured to receive optical signals in the red light band, such as optical signals between 570 nm and 780 nm. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second light detection unit 712 is configured for image sensing.

[0138] Figure 7C illustrates a pixel in another embodiment of this disclosure, showing the state when at least two of the plurality of pixels 721 are different. For example, pixel 721a includes a first light detection unit 710 having a first light detector 711. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first light detection unit 710 may also include a plurality of first light detectors 711. Pixel 721b includes a second light detection unit 712 having a blue light detector 713, a green light detector 714, and a red light detector 715. In another embodiment of this disclosure, when each pixel includes a single light detector (e.g., an infrared light detector, a red light detector, a blue light detector, or a green light detector), the pixel array 720 may include four pixels.

[0139] Figure 7D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure along the axis marked A-A' in Figure 7A. Referring to Figures 7A and 7D, the pixel broadband sensor 700a further includes a light source array 730, which comprises a plurality of light sources 731 surrounding the pixel array 720. The number of light sources 731 is not limited to the number shown in Figure 7A. The plurality of light sources 731 comprises light-emitting diodes or vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). In some embodiments of this disclosure, the pixel broadband sensor 700d is configured for short-range applications such as contactless fingerprint sensing, 3D fingerprint sensing, or under-display fingerprint sensing. With the plurality of light sources 731 surrounding the pixel array 720, the target object can be illuminated by more light emitted by the plurality of light sources 731, and therefore the pixel array 720 can also receive more reflected optical signals from the target object. In addition, providing a plurality of light sources 731 surrounding the pixel array 720 can effectively help to have a more uniform light distribution on the pixel array 720. Better light distribution can help prevent some pixels 721 from receiving as much reflected light as the pixels in the other pixel array 720.

[0140] In some embodiments of this disclosure, each light source 731 may also include optical elements (e.g., passive optical elements such as mirrors and gratings, or active optical elements such as micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS mirrors)) to change the direction of light emitted from the multiple light sources 731 to adjust the illumination area of ​​the light source array 730. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the pixel broadband sensor may be integrated with other module assemblies for mid-range applications (e.g., face recognition) or long-range applications (e.g., object sensing in autonomous driving applications).

[0141] Referring to FIG. 7D, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the pixel broadband sensor 700d further includes an integrated circuit layer 740 located between the pixel array 720 and the carrier 780. The integrated circuit layer 740 includes control circuitry (e.g., first, second, third, and fourth control signals as described later), configured to control the pixel array 720 and / or a driver configured to control the light source 731. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the integrated circuit layer 740 is disposed only between the pixel array 720 and the carrier 780, and the pixel broadband array 700d may also include electrical connections (not shown) coupled to the light source 731 and the driver in the integrated circuit layer 740. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the driving circuitry for the light source 731 may be disposed on a separate chip (not shown) or may be integrated with the light source 731.

[0142] In some embodiments disclosed herein, the pixel broadband sensor 700d further includes a bonding layer 750 situated between the integrated circuit layer 740 and the pixel array 720. For example, the bonding layer 750 may include interconnects and dielectric material, the interconnects being used for electrical connections between the integrated circuit layer 740 and the pixel array 720, and the dielectric material being used for electrical insulation between the interconnects. For example, the driver and / or control circuitry may be a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) device.

[0143] In some embodiments disclosed herein, the pixel broadband sensor 700d further includes an optical filter 760 for allowing light with a specific wavelength range to pass through, corresponding to a photodetector placed below it. The optical filter 760 can be a bandpass filter using an absorbing material, a multilayer coated bandpass filter, or a coplanar periodic / aperiodic grating, etc. For example, bandpass filters 760a, 760b, 760c, and 760d can be used to allow light with blue, green, red, and SWIR wavelengths, respectively, to pass through.

[0144] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the pixel broadband sensor 700d further includes a plurality of lens elements 770 for focusing, collimating, or expanding incident optical signals to enter individual photodetectors thereunder.

[0145] Figure 7E shows a cross-sectional view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure along the axis marked A-A' in Figure 7A. In some embodiments of this disclosure, an integrated circuit layer 740 is situated between a light source 731 and a carrier 780.

[0146] In some embodiments of this disclosure, when the first photodetector 711 includes a first absorption region 833 having germanium and the second photodetector unit 712 includes an RGB photodetector having silicon (e.g., 713, 714, 715 in FIG. 7B), the first photodetector unit 710 and / or the second photodetector unit 712 are at least partially embedded in a substrate (e.g., a silicon substrate). For example, FIG. 8 shows a pixel of an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, wherein the first photodetector unit 710 and the second photodetector unit 712 are connected to a common substrate, for example, the first photodetector unit 710 and the second photodetector unit 712 are at least partially embedded in the substrate (e.g., silicon substrates 814, 824). Pixel 721 includes the first photodetector 711 and a visible light photodetector, such as a green light detector 714, formed on the common substrate. The first light detector 711 and the green light detector 714 can be separated by an insulating structure 807, such as an oxide trench.

[0147] The green light detector 714 includes an n-Si region 812, a p+ Si region 813, a p-Si region 814, an n+ Si region 815, and a first gate 816. The first gate 816 is coupled to and controlled by a first control signal. The n+ Si region 815 is coupled to a first readout circuit.

[0148] The n-Si region 812 can be lightly doped with an n-dopant, such as phosphorus at approximately 10¹⁶ cm⁻³. The p+ Si region 813 can be p+ doped, wherein the concentration of the activated dopant is as high as possible, such as boron at approximately 5 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³. The p-Si region 814 can be lightly doped with a p-dopant, such as boron at approximately 10¹⁵ cm⁻³. The n+ Si region 815 can be n+ doped, wherein the concentration of the activated dopant is as high as possible, such as phosphorus at approximately 5 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³.

[0149] Generally, the n-Si region 812 receives the optical signal 808 and converts it into an electrical signal. The optical signal 808 (e.g., green light) enters the n-Si region 812, where the n-Si region 812 absorbs the optical signal 808 and converts the absorbed light into free carriers. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical signal 808 can be filtered out by an optical filter (e.g., 760 in FIG. 7D). In some embodiments of this disclosure, the beam profile of the optical signal 808 can be shaped by a lens element (e.g., 770 in FIG. 7D).

[0150] Generally, the difference between the Fermi level of the p+ Si region 813 and the Fermi level of the n-Si region 812 creates an electric field between these two regions. When free electrons are generated in the n-Si region 812, they drift to the region below the p+ Si region 813 due to the electric field. The first gate 816 can be coupled to a voltage source; for example, the first control signal can be a DC voltage signal from the voltage source. The first control signal controls the flow of free electrons from the region below the p+ Si region 813 to the n+ Si region 815. For example, if the voltage of the first control signal exceeds a threshold voltage, free electrons accumulated in the region below the p+ Si region 813 will drift to the n+ Si region 815.

[0151] The n+ Si region 815 can be coupled to a first readout circuit. The first readout circuit can be a transistor configuration consisting of a reset gate, a source follower, and a select gate, or any circuit suitable for handling free carriers. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first readout circuit can be disposed on a substrate shared with the green light detector 714. For example, the integrated circuit layer 740 depicted in FIG. 7D can contain the first readout circuit. In other embodiments of this disclosure, the first readout circuit can be disposed on another substrate and co-packaged with the green light detector 714 through die / wafer bonding or stacking.

[0152] The first photodetector 711 includes an n-Si region 822, a p+ Si region 823, a p-Si region 824, an n+ Si region 825, a second gate 826, a p+ GeSi region 831, and a first absorption region 833 (e.g., an intrinsic GeSi region). The second gate 826 is coupled to and controlled by a second control signal. The n+ Si region 825 is coupled to a second readout circuit. The n-Si region 822 may be lightly doped with an n-dopant, such as phosphorus at approximately 10¹⁶ cm⁻³. The p+ Si region 823 may be p+ doped, wherein the concentration of the activated dopant is as high as possible, as achievable by the process, such as boron at approximately 5 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³. The p-Si region 824 may be lightly doped with a p-dopant, such as boron at approximately 10¹⁵ cm⁻³. The n+ Si region 825 can be n+ doped, where the concentration of the activated dopant is as high as possible, such as about 5 × 1020 cm⁻³ of phosphorus.

[0153] Generally, the first absorption region 833 receives the optical signal 806 and converts the optical signal 806 (e.g., SWIR light) into an electrical signal. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the optical signal 806 can be filtered out by a wavelength filter (not shown), such as an NIR filter in an optical filter (e.g., 760 in FIG. 7D). In some embodiments of this disclosure, the beam profile of the optical signal 806 can be shaped by a lens element (e.g., 770 in FIG. 7D).

[0154] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the thickness of the first absorption region 833 can be between 0.05 micrometers and 2 micrometers. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the first absorption region 833 can include a p+ GeSi region 831. The p+ GeSi region 831 can repel photoelectrons from the first absorption region 833 to prevent recombination of photoelectrons on the surface, thereby improving carrier collection efficiency. For example, when the first absorption region 833 is germanium and doped with boron, the p+ GeSi region 831 can have p+ doping, wherein the concentration of the dopant is as high as possible, for example, approximately 5 × 10²⁰ cm⁻³.

[0155] Free electrons generated in the first absorption region 833 can drift or diffuse to the n-Si region 822. Generally, the difference between the Fermi level of the p+Si region 823 and the Fermi level of the n-Si region 822 can create an electric field between these two regions. Free electrons collected from the first absorption region 833 through the n-Si region 822 drift to the region below the p+Si region 823 due to the electric field. The second control signal can be a DC voltage signal from a voltage source. The second control signal 827 controls the flow of free electrons from the region below the p+Si region 823 to the n+Si region 825. For example, if the voltage of the second control signal 827 exceeds a threshold voltage, free electrons accumulated in the region below the p+Si region 823 will drift to the n+Si region 825. The n+Si region 825 can be coupled to a second readout circuit, which can be similar to the first readout circuit.

[0156] Although not shown in Figure 7C, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the green light detector 714 and the first light detector 711 can alternatively be manufactured to collect holes instead of electrons. In this case, the conductivity will be reversed; for example, p+ Si regions 813 and 823 will be replaced by n+ Si regions, n-Si regions 812 and 813 will be replaced by p-Si regions, p-Si regions 814 and 824 will be replaced by n-Si regions, and n+ Si regions 815 and 825 will be replaced by p+ Si regions. It should be noted that the figures in this disclosure are for illustrative and explanatory purposes.

[0157] In some embodiments disclosed herein, the planes of the green light detector 714 and the first photodetector 711, which receive optical signals 806 and 808, are planarized planes, wherein the first absorption region 833 and the p+ GeSi region 831 are embedded in the oxide layer 856. For example, the oxide layer 856 may be formed on the p-Si region 814. The thickness of the oxide layer 856 may be selected as the thickness of the first absorption region 833. The sensing region may be formed in the oxide layer 856 by etching or other suitable techniques. Germanium silicon may be selectively grown in the sensing region to form the first absorption region 833. The planarized plane between the green light detector 714 and the first photodetector 711 allows for additional processing of the photodetector surface and / or bonding to another substrate on which elements are fabricated.

[0158] Although not shown in FIG. 8, pixel 721 also includes a blue light detector 713 and a red light detector 715 as shown in FIG. 7B. The blue light detector 713 and red light detector 715 may have a structure similar to that of the green light detector 714. In some embodiments, the blue light detector 713 is controlled by a third control signal and coupled to a third readout circuit to process the collected carriers. In some embodiments, the red light detector 715 is controlled by a fourth control signal and coupled to a fourth readout circuit to process the collected carriers. Each red light detector 715 and blue light detector 713 includes individual wavelength filter regions (e.g., bandpass filters 760a, 760b, 760c, 760d) within an optical filter (e.g., 760 in FIG. 7D) to transmit a portion of the received light, and includes individual lens elements (e.g., 770 in FIG. 7D) to focus the received light.

[0159] Other exemplary pixels related to this same substrate are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 228,282, filed on August 4, 2016, entitled “Germanium-Silicon Light Sensing Apparatus”, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0160] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the pixel broadband sensor assembly disclosed herein. The pixel broadband sensor assembly 900 includes a plurality of pixel broadband sensors 700 configured as a two-dimensional array or a one-dimensional array. The pixel broadband sensors 700 can be any of the above-described embodiments. Since the pixel broadband sensor assembly includes a plurality of pixel broadband sensors 700, the pixel broadband sensor assembly can be easily assembled at any desired scale. Furthermore, the total illuminated area on the target object can be larger and the incident light energy can be more uniformly distributed. Moreover, optical signals reflected from the target object can be more easily received by any one of the pixel arrays 720, since a plurality of pixel arrays 720 are spatially distributed.

[0161] Figure 10A illustrates a top view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 10B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a pixel broadband sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure along the axis marked B-B' in Figure 10A.

[0162] The pixel broadband sensor 940a is essentially the same as the aforementioned pixel broadband sensor 700a, with the differences described below. The light source array 730 includes a plurality of light sources 731 positioned below the pixel array 720. The pixel broadband sensor 940a also includes a shielding layer 790 located between the light source array 730 and the pixel array 720. The shielding layer 790 is configured to prevent light emitted by the light sources 731 from being directly absorbed by the absorption area of ​​the pixel array 720. Therefore, the light 911 emitted by the light sources 731 can pass through the light source array 730 and be incident on the target object.

[0163] In some embodiments, the shielding layer 790 is incorporated into a light-filtering material, such as a polymer or other light-absorbing material.

[0164] In some embodiments, the light emitted by the light source 731 has a peak wavelength in the invisible light range, for example, greater than 800 nm or between approximately 1400 nm and 3000 nm, to avoid absorption by the substrate (e.g., silicon substrate) in the pixel. In some embodiments, the second light detection unit 712 in the pixel is an ambient light sensor.

[0165] In some embodiments, the light source disclosed herein may include one or more light-emitting diodes or vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers that emit optical signals.

[0166] The methods, operations, and processes described in this disclosure can be performed by multiple means. For example, any system or apparatus (e.g., an optical sensing device and related circuitry) may include the units described herein and / or other means of performing their operations and functions. In some embodiments, one or more units may be implemented separately. In some embodiments, one or more units may be part of or included within one or more other units. These means may include processors, microprocessors, image processing units, logic circuits, application-specific circuits, application-specific circuits, programmable array logic, field-programmable gate arrays, controllers, microcontrollers, and / or other suitable hardware. These means may also alternatively include software control methods implemented on processors or logic circuits. For example, the means may include or be able to read memory, such as one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as random access memory, read-only memory, electronically erased programmable read-only memory, eraseable programmable read-only memory, flash / other memory devices, data registers, databases, and / or other suitable hardware.

[0167] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and "fifth" used in this disclosure describe multiple elements, components, regions, layers, and / or parts. These terms are used only to identify elements, components, regions, layers, and parts, and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Except as explicitly described herein, the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and "fifth" used in this disclosure are not intended to indicate their order or sequence. Terms such as "light detection," "light sensing," or other similar terms are interchangeable.

[0168] This disclosure has described preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will, upon reading this disclosure, conceive of various different forms within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and will be able to combine and arrange any or all of the technical features within the claims in any possible manner. Therefore, this disclosure is exemplary and not limiting, and the subject matter of this disclosure does not exclude additions, modifications, or variations thereto, as these are obvious and unambiguous to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the connecting words "and," "or," and "but" used in the description of this disclosure are merely for the purpose of describing embodiments. Additionally, the connecting word "or" in the description of embodiments in this disclosure can refer to "at least one of them" or "any combination thereof," and "based on" also means "at least partially based on."

[0169] Those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains should understand that the scope of the patent application disclosed herein can be adjusted, rearranged, expanded, combined, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For illustrative purposes, some references to letters in the patent application scope are not limiting; for example, (a), (b), (c)... and (i), (ii), (iii) are used only to illustrate the operation of the method and for ease of reading, and do not indicate specific steps or the order of operations. The operation indicated by (a) or (i) may be performed before, after, or simultaneously with the operation indicated by (b) or (ii).

[0170] The present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that all variations and substitutions equivalent to the embodiments should be considered to be covered within the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the appended claims should be interpreted in the broadest sense to include all modifications, similar arrangements, and processes thereof.

[0171] 10 Optical Detection Module 100 receiving units 200 launch units 201 First Light Source 202 Second Light Source 300 processor 400 controller 50 optical detection modules 501 Receiving Unit 502 Receiving Unit 503 Launch Unit 5031 Light Source 504 Launch Unit 5041 light source 505 processor 506 Controller 700-pixel wideband sensor 700a pixel wideband sensor 700d pixel wideband sensor 700e pixel wideband sensor 710 First Light Detection Unit 711 First Light Detector 712 Second Light Detection Unit 713 Blue Light Detector 714 Green Light Detector 715 Red Light Detector 720 pixel array 721+ pixels 721a pixels 721b pixels 730 light source array 731 Light Source 740 Integrated Circuit Layer 750 bonding layer 760 Optical Filter 760a bandpass filter 760b bandpass filter 760c bandpass filter 760d bandpass filter 770 Lens Element 780 carrier 790 Shielding layer 806 Optical Signal 807 Insulation Structure 808 Optical Signal 812 n-Si region 813 p+ Si region 814 p-Si region 815 n+ Si region 816 First Gate 822 n-Si region 823 p+ Si region 824 p-Si region 825 n+ Si region 826 Second Gate 831 p+ GeSi region 833 First Absorption Region 856 oxide layer 900-pixel wideband sensor assembly 911 Light 940a pixel wideband sensor Steps S1~S27 Steps S31~S35 Steps S611~S623 S911~S915 Steps S921~S925 Steps Steps S1711~S1715 Steps S1721~S1725 A1~A13 time period B1~B13 time slot C1~C10 time period D1~D10 time period E1~E10 time period T0~T13 time slots Va First Value Vb second value Tangent line of section A-A' Tangent line of B-B' section diagram

Claims

1. An optical detection module, comprising: a receiving unit including a switching impedance amplifier; a transmitting unit including a first light source configured to transmit a first optical signal, and a second light source configured to transmit a second optical signal; a controller electrically communicated with the receiving unit, a processor, or the transmitting unit; the processor electrically communicated with the receiving unit; wherein, The optical detection module is configured as follows: The controller activates the first light source of the transmitting unit to emit the first optical signal; the processor obtains a first integral value from the receiving unit corresponding to the first optical signal; in response to the determination that the first integral value satisfies a first threshold condition, the controller activates the second light source of the transmitting unit to emit the second optical signal; the processor obtains a second integral value from the receiving unit corresponding to the second optical signal; and the processor increases the gain of the switching impedance amplifier to perform a health sensing function.

2. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, Health sensing features include heart rate, body temperature, or blood oxygen saturation.

3. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module is configured for use in wireless headphones.

4. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module is configured for use in wearable electronic devices.

5. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module is configured to reduce the current level used by the transmitting unit by the processor during the execution of health sensing functions.

6. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module is configured to increase the current level used by the transmitting unit by means of the processor during the execution of health sensing functions.

7. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module is configured to activate a health sensing function by means of the processor based on a comparison between the first integral value and the second integral value.

8. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module is configured to identify a material of a target object by means of the processor, based on a comparison between the first integral value and the second integral value.

9. The optical detection module as described in claim 8, wherein, The material includes human skin, wood, or fabric.

10. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The first threshold condition includes a dynamic judgment value that is periodically adjusted based on multiple operating parameters.

11. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The first threshold condition includes the first integral value being equal to or greater than a judgment value.

12. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module is configured to adjust the gain of the switching impedance amplifier of the receiving unit.

13. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module also includes a processor that initiates biometric authentication based on a comparison between the first integral value and the second integral value.

14. The optical detection module as described in claim 1, wherein, The optical detection module is configured to: obtain, via the processor and from the receiving unit, a first background integral value of ambient light in a first reference time slot preceding a first target time slot; obtain, via the processor and from the receiving unit, a first foreground integral value of the combination of ambient light and the first optical signal in the first target time slot; obtain, via the processor and from the receiving unit, a second background integral value of ambient light in a second reference time slot following the first target time slot; and determine, via the processor, an average of the first background integral value and the second background integral value to obtain an average background integral value. And by means of the processor and based on the average background integral value, the first foreground integral value is adjusted to determine the value corresponding to the first integral value.

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