An illuminance sensor detects a flicker with higher accuracy than in the related art. The illuminance sensor includes: a light receiving unit that receives light and outputs a current; a flicker measurement counter circuit that performs AD conversion on the current and outputs a first digital signal to a flicker measurement storage device; an illuminance measurement counter circuit that performs AD conversion on the current and outputs a second digital signal to an illuminance measurement storage device; and a flicker detection unit that detects a flicker by analyzing the first digital signal stored in the flicker measurement storage device. A cycle during which the first digital signal is output from the flicker measurement counter circuit is shorter than a cycle during which the second digital signal is output from the illuminance measurement counter circuit.

A portable remote sensing system for real-time assessments of total suspended solids (TSS) in surface waters using above-water hyperspectral measurements. The system combines a miniature high signal-to-noise ratio spectrometer coupled to a credit card-size computer, lens, rechargeable battery, GPS, display panel, and dedicated software to derive TSS from above-water spectral measurements.

A light detection method for a light detection device is provided. The light detection device includes multiple scan lines and multiple light sensing elements. Each of the light sensing elements is coupled to a corresponding one of the scan lines. The light detection method includes: in a detection mode, sequentially scanning a first scan line to a (N+1).sup.th scan line among the scan lines, wherein a N.sup.th scan line is not adjacent to at least one of a (N?1).sup.th scan line and the (N+1).sup.th scan line; reading signals of the light sensing elements coupled to the first scan line to the (N+1).sup.th scan line; determining whether the signals meet an exposure standard; and controlling the light detection device to enter a value reading mode when the signals meet the exposure standard.

Provided are a distance-measuring device and a method thereof. The distance-measuring device detects light reflected by an object and converts the light into electrical signals, outputs a saturation signal equal to or greater than a reference value from among the electrical signals, detects a peak using the saturation signal, and measures a distance to the object using the peak.

Presented here are devices and methods to correct ambient light measurements made in the presence of optical elements, such as the curved edge of the cover glass associated with the mobile device. In one embodiment, a film with optical properties is placed within the ambient light sensor to diffuse the high-intensity light beam coming from the optical element. In another embodiment, an aperture associated with the ambient light sensor is disposed to prevent the high-intensity light beam from entering the ambient light sensor. In another embodiment, a processor coupled to the ambient light sensor smooths the peak associated with the high intensity light beam produced by the optical element.

Presented here are devices and methods to correct ambient light measurements made in the presence of optical elements, such as the curved edge of the cover glass associated with the mobile device. In one embodiment, a film with optical properties is placed within the ambient light sensor to diffuse the high-intensity light beam coming from the optical element. In another embodiment, an aperture associated with the ambient light sensor is disposed to prevent the high-intensity light beam from entering the ambient light sensor. In another embodiment, a processor coupled to the ambient light sensor smooths the peak associated with the high intensity light beam produced by the optical element.

A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a signal line, a circuit block, and a control circuit. The circuit block includes a differential amplifier circuit including a feedback path, a first switch that controls conduction between an output terminal and the signal line, a second switch that controls conduction between an inverting input terminal and the signal line, and a third switch that controls conduction between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal. The control circuit controls a signal for controlling the first switch and a signal for controlling the third switch to have the relation of logical NOT.

Presented here are devices and methods to correct ambient light measurements made in the presence of optical elements, such as the curved edge of the cover glass associated with the mobile device. In one embodiment, a film with optical properties is placed within the ambient light sensor to diffuse the high-intensity light beam coming from the optical element. In another embodiment, an aperture associated with the ambient light sensor is disposed to prevent the high-intensity light beam from entering the ambient light sensor. In another embodiment, a processor coupled to the ambient light sensor smoothes the peak associated with the high intensity light beam produced by the optical element.

Presented here are devices and methods to correct ambient light measurements made in the presence of optical elements, such as the curved edge of the cover glass associated with the mobile device. In one embodiment, a film with optical properties is placed within the ambient light sensor to diffuse the high-intensity light beam coming from the optical element. In another embodiment, an aperture associated with the ambient light sensor is disposed to prevent the high-intensity light beam from entering the ambient light sensor. In another embodiment, a processor coupled to the ambient light sensor smooths the peak associated with the high intensity light beam produced by the optical element.

A method for voltage stabilization of one or more groups of single photon avalanche diodes of a photodetector, wherein a digitizer is connected downstream of each diode. The method includes: detecting one or more signals of a signal path of the photodetector, which signal path comprises the diodes and the digitizers, with the same blocking voltage applied to the diodes; ascertaining a particular amplitude spectrum of the one or more detected signals; ascertaining a particular local minimum of the ascertained amplitude spectrum or spectra; controlling the applied blocking voltage based on the ascertained local minimum or minima.