Optical sensor capable of detecting ir light and visible light simultaneously

Abstract

An optical sensor includes an image sensor, a proximity sensor and a visible light sensor. The image sensor includes a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel is coated with a first optical film for blocking light whose wavelength is outside a first predetermined range and a second optical film for blocking light whose wavelength is outside a second predetermined range. The proximity sensor generates an IR signal according to a first exposure value. The visible light sensing unit generates a visible light signal according to the difference between the first exposure and a second exposure value or according to a ratio of the first exposure value to the second exposure value. The first exposure value represents an incident light quantity which is absorbed by the first pixel. The second exposure value represents an incident light quantity which is absorbed by the second pixel.

1 . An optical sensor, comprising:
 an image sensor, comprising:
 a first pixel coated with two optical films, wherein:
 a first optical film is configured to provide first transmittance for light whose wavelength is outside a first predetermined range and provide second transmittance for light whose wavelength is within the first predetermined range; and 
 a second optical film is on the first optical film and configured to provide third transmittance for light whose wavelength is outside a second predetermined range and provide fourth transmittance for light whose wavelength is within the second predetermined range; and 
 
 a second pixel without being coated with any optical film, the first pixel and the second pixel being disposed on a same substrate within the image sensor; and 
   a processing unit configured to receive pixel data measured by the first pixel and the second pixel, wherein:
 the first predetermined range and the second predetermined range are not overlapped; 
 the first transmittance is smaller than the second transmittance; 
 the third transmittance is smaller than the fourth transmittance; and 
 the optical sensor provides functions of a proximity sensor and a visible light sensor. 
   
     
     
         2 . The optical sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the first predetermined range and the second predetermined range are different and selected from 380-500 nm, 500-600 nm, and 600-780 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The optical sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit comprises the proximity sensor configured to generate an infrared radiation (IR) electrical signal according to a first exposure value, wherein the first exposure value represents an incident light quantity which is absorbed by the first pixel. 
     
     
         4 . The optical sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the processing unit comprises the visible light sensor configured to generate a visible light electrical signal according to a difference between a first exposure value and a second exposure value or according to a ratio of the first exposure value to the second exposure value, wherein the first exposure value represents an incident light quantity which is absorbed by the first pixel, and the second exposure value represents an incident light quantity which is absorbed by the second pixel. 
     
     
         5 - 6 . (canceled)