Application using a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD)

Abstract

An oven may include a housing having a cooking receptacle configured to hold content therein, a heating element carried by the housing and configured to heat the content, and a proximity detector carried by the housing in the cooking receptacle and configured to detect surface movement of the content. The proximity detector may include at least one SPAD.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates to an application for a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A SPAD is based on a p-n junction device biased beyond its breakdown region. The high reverse bias voltage generates a large enough electric field such that a single charge carrier introduced into the depletion layer of the device can cause a self-sustaining avalanche via impact ionization. The avalanche is quenched, either actively or passively to allow the device to be “reset” to detect further photons. The initiating charge carrier can be photo-electrically generated by a single incident photon striking the high field region. It is this feature which gives rise to the name “Single Photon Avalanche Diode.” This single photon detection mode of operation is often referred to as Geiger Mode.[0003]U.S. Pat. No. 7,262,402 to Niclass et al. discloses an imaging device using an array of SPADs for capturing a depth and intensity map of a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]It is a further object of the present disclosure to make use of SPADs in applications and circumstances, and to provide a way of preventing spills and undercooking in ovens, such as a microwave oven.

[0010]The present disclosure may provide the following advantages. By using a proximity detector to measure changes in the surface of contents in an oven, the oven can be controlled to prevent spills and the like. Also, cooking programs can be applied to the oven to control cooking times and profiles.

Problems solved by technology

The high reverse bias voltage generates a large enough electric field such that a single charge carrier introduced into the depletion layer of the device can cause a self-sustaining avalanche via impact ionization.

In microwave ovens, there is often a problem of liquids and the like overflowing from the holding vessel.

This causes a mess and also means a loss of some of the contents, which may have other consequences.

As a result, a user predicted time is not much use in avoiding spills or to another extent, undercooking the contents.

Manufactures provide recommended cooking times and recipe books also attempt to give guidelines as to cooking times. However, they are but that, i.e. guidelines, and do not solve the problem of spills.

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