Abstract:
A multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor die including a first sensor type and a second sensor type formed thereon, an electrically insulating package enclosing the semiconductor die and a plurality of electrically conductive leads coupled to the semiconductor die and extending from the package. By way of example and not limitation, a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit die includes a semiconductor substrate of a first polarity, a plurality of regions of the first polarity formed in the substrate, where the plurality of regions are relatively more heavily doped than the substrate, multiple wells formed in the substrate, and a covering layer formed over the substrate.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/367,344, filed Jul. 23, 2010, and entitled “Multi-Sensor Integrated Circuit Device”, by these same inventors. This application incorporates U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/367,344 in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to sensors for electronic devices. More specifically, this invention relates to a multi-sensor integrated circuit device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A sensor is a device which receives and responds to a signal or stimulus. Here, the term “stimulus” means a property or a quantity that needs to be converted into electrical form. Hence, sensor can be defined as a device which receives a signal and converts it into electrical form which can be further used for electronic devices. A sensor differs from a transducer in the way that a transducer converts one form of energy into other form whereas a sensor converts the received signal into electrical form only. 
         [0004]    There are many types of sensors. For example, there are sensors which respond to light, motion, temperature, magnetic fields, gravity, humidity, vibration, acceleration, pressure, electrical fields, sound and other physical aspects of the ambient environment. 
         [0005]    Sensors can be made from discrete components, or may be made as an integrated circuit device, such as the integrated circuit device  10  of  FIG. 1 . An integrated circuit device  10  typically includes an electrically insulating package  12  enclosing a semiconductor die  14  (shown in phantom) and a number of electrically conductive leads  16  coupled to the semiconductor die  14  and extending out of the package  12 . The package  12  can be quite small, e.g. 2 mm×2 mm, and the semiconductor die  14  can be even smaller, e.g. 100 μm×100 μm. 
         [0006]    Sensors that are formed as integrated circuit devices can be inexpensively mass-produced and are quite rugged. These factors, along with their small size, make them attractive for use in portable electronic devices such as laptop computers and cellular telephones. 
         [0007]    Integrated circuit device sensors include light (“optical”) sensors, magnetic field (“magnetic”) sensors, temperature sensors, etc. These integrated circuit devices are often dedicated to only a specific sensing function. Because various sensor types have disparate manufacturing and environmental requirements, only one sensor type is provided per integrated circuit device. 
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates, in a conceptual form, a prior art die  14 ′ that includes a single sensor-type block  18 , a control block  20  and a conditioning block  22 . The single sensor-type can be, for example, a number of ambient light sensor (ALS) photodiode cells which comprise sensor block  18 . In this example, control block  20  can control the interconnections between the photodiode cells, and the conditioning block  22  can “condition” the output signals of the photodiode cells. By “condition” it is meant that the outputs of the sensors are enhanced, combined or modified in some fashion before being output from the integrated circuit device  12 . Conditioning can be analog and/or digital in nature. For example, amplification is a common form of analog conditioning and analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) is a common form of analog/digital conditioning. 
         [0009]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a prior art ALS photodiode cell  24  which may form one cell of the sensor block  18 , as noted above.  FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the cell  24  and  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A . The cell  24 , in this example, includes an N-substrate  28 , a first Pwell  30 , a second Pwell  32 , and a cover layer  34 . The N-substrate typically comprises doped silicon, although other semiconductor materials can be used as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Also, the polarities of the substrate and the wells can be reversed. The cover layer  34  is translucent such that light L can penetrate through the cover layer  34  to the layers below. By “light” it is meant electromagnetic radiation typically ranging from the infrared (IR) through the ultraviolet (UV) spectrums which, of course, includes visible light. The depth of the penetration of the light L into the layers below cover layer  34  is dependent upon its wavelength, where longer wavelength light penetrates further. The cover layer  34  can serve as a filter to change the spectrum of the light L such that the cell  24  can be tuned to be sensitive to certain wavelengths of light more than others. The manufacture and use of ALS photodiode cells, such as ALS photodiode cell  24 , is well known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0010]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a Hall Effect magnetic sensor  36  which may form one cell, by way of non-limiting example, of the sensor block  18  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4A  is a top plan view of the Hall Effect cell  36  and  FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4A . The cell  36  includes an N-substrate  40 , four N+ regions  42 ,  44 ,  46  and  48 , and a cover layer  50 . The N-substrate  40  is typically silicon, e.g. an N-doped silicon wafer, although other semiconductor materials can be used as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The cover layer  50  is typically opaque such that light L is substantially blocked from impinging on the layers below to avoid a potential interference with the proper functioning of the Hall Effect magnet sensor. For example, the cover layer  50  can be a metal layer such as aluminum. If, however, the die is packaged in an opaque package, the cover layer  50  does not need to be opaque and/or may be omitted. The manufacture and use of Hall Effect magnetic sensors, such as the Hall Effect cell  36 , is well known to those of skill in the art. For a given magnetic sensor, an input current results in a known voltage in the absence of a magnetic field. When a magnetic field is present, an offset voltage is measured, as compared to the known voltage. The magnitude of the offset voltage is proportional to the magnetic field. 
         [0011]      FIG. 5  illustrates a block  18 ′ of sensor cells formed as part of a semiconductor die  14 ″ in accordance with the prior art. While some of the cells are labeled “S” and some of the cells are labeled “DS” they are all of the same sensor type. For example, the S cells can be the photodiode cells illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , while the DS cells are the same as the S cells with the exception that the covering layer is opaque rather than translucent. These are referred to as “dark cells” which can be used to detect noise and random fluctuations in the sensor block  18 ′. Therefore, the signals produced by the dark cells DS can be subtracted from the signals of the cells S (in, for example, a conditioning circuit) to produce an output signal with reduced noise levels. 
         [0012]    As noted, while the various sensor types have features in common, they also have features which are quite disparate. For example, a photodiode cell must be exposed to light, while a Hall Effect cell is typically shielded from light. Therefore, the package for a light sensor is typically at least translucent (or is provided with a translucent window to the wavelengths of interest) and the package for a Hall Effect magnetic sensor is typically opaque. As such, the motivation for combining multiple sensor-types on a common die is not apparent in the prior art. 
         [0013]    These and other limitations of the prior art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the following descriptions and a study of the several figures of the drawing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    By way of example and not limitation, a multiple sensor-type integrated circuit device includes: a semiconductor die including a first sensor type and a second sensor type formed thereon; an electrically insulating package enclosing said semiconductor die; and a plurality of electrically conductive leads coupled to said semiconductor die and extending from said package. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the first sensor type is an optical sensor and the second sensor type is a magnetic sensor. In an embodiment, the semiconductor die includes a block, further wherein the block comprises a plurality of cells. In some embodiments, each cell includes only of the optical sensor or the magnetic sensor. In other embodiments, each cell includes a multiple sensor-type sensor including the optical sensor and the magnetic sensor. In some embodiments, each cell further includes a translucent cover layer. In an embodiment, the device also include control circuitry coupled to the block, wherein the control circuitry comprises a processing algorithm configured to compensate for the effect of light impinging the magnetic sensor. In an embodiment, each cell further includes a cover layer, wherein the cover layer for at least one of the cells is opaque, and the covering layer for the remaining cells is translucent. In an embodiment, a magnetic sensor signal from the at lest one cell having the opaque cover layer is processed to determine a presence of a magnetic field. In an embodiment, the optical sensor in the at least one cell having the opaque cover layer is used to measure a dark current of the optical sensor. In an embodiment, each cell includes a cover layer, wherein the cover layer includes an opaque portion positioned over the magnetic sensor and a translucent portion positioned over the optical sensor. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment, the first sensor type and the second sensor type are formed in a cell. In an embodiment, the first sensor type and the second sensor type are formed in a block having a plurality of cells. In an embodiment, the block is a first block and further including a second block of the first sensor type. In an embodiment, the first sensor type is formed in a first block and in a second block and wherein the second sensor type is formed in a third block. In an embodiment, the device further includes a conditioning block formed on the semiconductor die. In an embodiment, both the first sensor type and the second sensor type are coupled to the conditioning block. In an embodiment, the first sensor type and the second sensor type are coupled to the conditioning block by a multiplexer. In an embodiment, the conditioning block is a first conditioning block associated with the first sensor and further including a second conditioning block associated with the second sensor. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the conditioning block includes an amplifier circuit having an input coupled to at least one of the first sensor type and the second sensor type. In an embodiment, the conditioning block further includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having an input coupled to an output of the amplifier circuit. In an embodiment, the conditioning block further includes a digital signal processor (DSP) having an input coupled to an output of the ADC. In an embodiment, the conditioning block further includes a gain control coupled between an input and an output of the amplifier. In an embodiment, a control input of the gain control is coupled to the DSP. In an embodiment, the device further includes control circuitry coupled to at least one of the first sensor type and the second sensor type. In an embodiment, the integrated circuit device forms a part of an electronic device selected from the group consisting essentially of computers, telephones and hand-held electronic devices. 
         [0018]    By way of example and not limitation, a multiple sensor-type integrated circuit die includes: a semiconductor substrate of a first polarity; a plurality of regions of the first polarity formed in the substrate, the plurality of regions being relatively more heavily doped than the substrate, wherein the plurality of regions comprise a first sensor type; a plurality of wells of a second polarity formed in the substrate, wherein the plurality of wells comprise a second sensor type different than the first sensor type; and a cover layer formed over the substrate. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the semiconductor substrate is an N-substrate, the plurality of regions are N+ regions, and the plurality of wells are P wells. In an embodiment, the cover layer over the P wells is of a first type and the cover layer over the N+ regions is of a second type. In an embodiment, the cover layer of the first type is non-metallic and the cover layer of the second type is metallic. In an embodiment, the cover layer of the first type is translucent and the cover layer of the second type is opaque. 
         [0020]    By way of example and not limitation, a multiple sensor-type integrated circuit die includes: a multiple sensor-type sensor block including a first type of sensor and a second type of sensor; and a conditioning block coupled to the multiple sensor-type sensor block to process a first sensor signal corresponding to the first type of sensor and a second signal corresponding to the second type of sensor. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, the first type of sensor includes an optical sensor and the second type of sensor includes a magnetic sensor, further wherein the conditioning block is configured to process both optical signals and magnetic signals sensed by the multiple sensor-type sensor block. In an embodiment, the die further includes a multiplexer coupled between the multiple sensor-type sensor block and the conditioning block. In an embodiment, the conditioning block includes an amplifier circuit having an input coupled to at least one of the first sensor type and the second sensor type. In an embodiment, the conditioning block further includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having an input coupled to an output of the amplifier circuit. In an embodiment, the conditioning block further includes a digital signal processor (DSP) having an input coupled to an output of the ADC. In an embodiment, the conditioning block further includes a gain control coupled between an input and an output of the amplifier. In an embodiment, a control input of the gain control is coupled to the DSP. In an embodiment, the die further includes control circuitry coupled to at least one of the first sensor type and the second sensor type. 
         [0022]    These and other embodiments and advantages and other features disclosed herein will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the following descriptions and a study of the several figures of the drawing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    Several example embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like components are provided with like reference numerals. The example embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the invention. The drawings include the following figures: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an integrated circuit device. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates a single sensor type semiconductor die of the prior art. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a top plan view of a photodiode cell of the prior art, which can be used as a light sensor. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 B- 3 B of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a top plan view of a Hall Effect cell of the prior art, which can be used as a magnetic sensor. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates an illustration of a sensor block of the prior art comprising a plurality of sensor cells of the same type. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  illustrates a multiple sensor-types semiconductor die. 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  illustrates a multiple sensor-types block which forms at least a part of multiple sensor-types block in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 8A  illustrates a multiple sensor-types block having sensor cells of a first sensor cell type S 1  and a second sensor cell type S 2 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 8B  illustrates a multiple sensor-types block having sensor cells of multiple sensor-types, such as the first sensor cell type S 1  and the second sensor cell type S 2 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  illustrates a block diagram of a plurality of sensor types having outputs multiplexed to a common conditioner. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10A  illustrates a top plan view of a first combination photodiode and Hall Effect sensor cell. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 10A . 
           [0038]      FIG. 10C  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 10A  including a cover layer according to an embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIG. 10D  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 10A  including a cover layer according to another embodiment. 
           [0040]      FIG. 10E  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 10A  including a cover layer according to yet another embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 11A  illustrates a top plan view of a second combination photodiode and Hall Effect sensor cell. 
           [0042]      FIG. 11B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 11A  including a cover layer according to an embodiment. 
           [0043]      FIG. 11C  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 11A  including a cover layer according to another embodiment. 
           [0044]      FIG. 11D  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 11A  including a cover layer according to yet another embodiment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 12A  illustrates a top plan view of a third combination photodiode and Hall Effect sensor cell. 
           [0046]      FIG. 12B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 B- 12 B of  FIG. 12A  including a cover layer according to an embodiment. 
           [0047]      FIG. 12C  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 B- 12 B of  FIG. 12A  including a cover layer according to another embodiment. 
           [0048]      FIG. 12D  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 B- 12 B of  FIG. 12A  including a cover layer according to yet another embodiment. 
           [0049]      FIG. 13A  illustrates a top plan view of a combination cell including a photodiode and a second sensor. 
           [0050]      FIG. 13B  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 B- 13 B of  FIG. 13A  including a cover layer according to an embodiment. 
           [0051]      FIG. 13C  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 B- 13 B of  FIG. 13A  including a cover layer according to another embodiment. 
           [0052]      FIG. 13D  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 B- 13 B of  FIG. 13A  including a cover layer according to yet another embodiment. 
           [0053]      FIG. 14  illustrates a conceptual block diagram of a combination photodiode and Hall Effect sensor cell. 
           [0054]      FIG. 15  illustrates a block diagram of a multiple sensor-types sensor and signal conditioner. 
           [0055]      FIG. 16A  illustrates a combination magnetic/light sensor cell formed on a common semiconductor die. 
           [0056]      FIG. 16B  illustrates a combination photodiode dark and magnetic block and an optical sensor block formed on a common semiconductor die. 
           [0057]      FIG. 16C  illustrates an optical sensor block, a photodiode dark block and a magnetic block formed on a common semiconductor die. 
           [0058]      FIG. 17  illustrates the use of a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device in a flip phone or notebook computer. 
           [0059]      FIG. 18  illustrates the use of a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device as part of a window shade control or other apparatus with relatively sliding members. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0060]    Embodiments of the present application are directed to a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0061]    Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts. In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions will likely be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application and business related constraints, and that these specific goals can vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0062]    Embodiments of a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device includes a first sensor type and a second sensor type formed on a single semiconductor die. In some embodiments, the first sensor type is an optical sensor and the second sensor type is a magnetic sensor. By way of a non-limiting example, the optical sensor can be a photodiode and the magnetic sensor can be a Hall Effect magnetic sensor. The multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device utilizes the common structure of the optical sensor and the magnetic sensor to form the single semiconductor die that performs both optical and magnetic sensing. In other embodiments, the sensor types formed on the single semiconductor die can be of types other than, or in addition to, optical and magnetic. Integrating multiple sensing types in a single cell or die can result in a total size reduction compared to conventional separate components. 
         [0063]    As used herein, “magnetic” shall mean a semiconductor sensor configuration which can be used to create an electrical signal by detecting a magnetic field. Also as used herein, “optical” shall mean a semiconductor sensor configuration which can be used to produce an electrical signal by detecting light (as defined above). Therefore a “light sensor” and an “optical sensor” are, at times, used synonymously. However, at other times “optical sensors” may refer to more complex forms of light detection, including multiple cell light detectors, or to the addition of other optical components such as filters, lenses, etc. 
         [0064]    The multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device includes a plurality of sensing cells. The plurality of sensing cells form a sensing block. In some embodiments, each sensing cell includes at least the first sensing type and the second sensing type. In other embodiments, each sensing cell includes only one of the sensing types, and the different cells with the different sensing types are patterned within the sensing block, such as in an alternating pattern of an optical sensing cell positioned next to a magnetic sensing cell, which is turn is positioned next to another optical sensing cell, and so on throughout the sensing block. Patterns other than an alternating pattern can be used. 
         [0065]      FIG. 6  illustrates, by way of example and not limitation, a multiple sensor-types die  52  including a multiple sensor-types block  54 , a control block  56  and a conditioning block  58 . Block  54  includes a plurality of sensor cells. In some embodiments, each sensor cell is configured having a single sensor type, for example a light sensor, a magnetic sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. In other embodiments, each sensor cell is configured having two or more sensor types. For the purpose of examples set forth herein, the sensor types are generally referred to in terms of two sensor types: a light sensor and a magnetic sensor. It is to be understood, however, that different or additional sensor types can also be employed. Furthermore, for the purpose of examples set forth herein, a light sensor is described as one or more photodiode cells and a magnetic sensor is described as one or more Hall Effect cells. It is to be understood, however, that different light and magnetic sensor types can also be employed. 
         [0066]    The control block  56  can operate much as described with respect to the prior art and may include additional functionality. For example, the control block  56  can enable or disable sensor types, reconfigure the sensor cells through the use of switches, etc. Likewise, the conditioning block  58  can operate much as described with respect to the prior art and may include additional functionality as described subsequently. 
         [0067]      FIG. 7  illustrates, by way of non-limiting example, a multiple sensor-types block  54 ′ which forms at least a part of multiple sensor-types block  54  in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, two or more sensor cells  60  of different types are formed within block  54 ′ on integrated circuit die  52 . Various embodiments, set forth by way of example and not limitation, will be described subsequently. 
         [0068]      FIG. 8A  illustrates, by way of non-limiting example, a multiple sensor-types block  62  having sensor cells of a first sensor cell type S 1  and a second sensor cell type S 2 . In this embodiment, each sensor cell is configured having only a single sensor-type. In the example shown in  FIG. 8A , the sensor cells S 1  and S 2  are laid out in a checkerboard pattern, but other patterns are also contemplated. Furthermore, the ratio of S 1 /S 2  sensor cells may be varied, and additional sensor cell types, for example sensor cell types S 3 , S 4 , . . . , SN etc., may be added. 
         [0069]    In other embodiments, each sensor cell within the multiple sensor-types block, such as each cell  60  in the block  54 ′ of  FIG. 7 , is configured as having multiple sensor-types, such as each cell having a light sensor and a magnetic sensor.  FIG. 8B  illustrates, by way of non-limiting example, a multiple sensor-types block  62 ′ having sensor cells of multiple sensor-types, such as the first sensor cell type S 1  and the second sensor cell type S 2 . In this embodiment, each sensor cell is configured having both sensor-types S 1  and S 2 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram of a plurality of sensor cell types S 1 , . . . , SN having outputs coupled to a conditioner block  64  by a multiplexer (MUX)  66 . The block S 1  in  FIG. 9  represents the sensed signals sent from each of the sensor cells types S 1  in the multiple sensor-types block, such as the sensed signals output from each of the sensor cell types S 1  in  FIG. 8 . The MUX  66  is controlled by a control input  68 . By way of non-limiting example, the control input  68  is supplied by the conditioner block  64 . In another non-limiting example, the control signal is supplied from off-chip. In this way, the circuitry of the conditioner block can be used for multiple sensor-types, saving chip “real estate” and potentially lowering costs. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate, by way of example and not limitation, a first combination photodiode and Hall Effect sensor cell  70 .  FIG. 10A  is a top plan view of the cell  70  and  FIG. 10B  is a cross-section taken along line  10 B- 10 B of  FIG. 10A . The cell  70  includes an N-substrate  74 , a Pwell  76 , and a plurality of N+ regions  80   a,    80   b,    80   c  and  80   d.  The N-substrate is typically silicon (e.g., an N-doped monocrystalline silicon wafer), although other semiconductor materials can be used as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Although only the N-substrate is shown in  FIG. 10B , the substrate of the semiconductor die within which the cell  70  is formed can be comprised of one or more additional substrate layers. For example, the N-substrate  74  may be an N-EPI layer formed within a P-substrate. Also, it should be noted that the polarities recited herein may be reversed, such that N-doped material can be P-doped and vice versa. 
         [0072]    In operation, the cell  70  functions as a light sensor by measuring the current generated as a resulting of light impinging the Pwell  76 . The amount of measured current is proportional to the amount of light impinging the Pwell. The cell  70  functions as a Hall Effect magnetic sensor by flowing current through two of the N+ regions, such a supplying current to the N+ region  80   a  and grounding the N+ region  80   b  and measuring the differential voltage across the other two N+ regions, such as N+ regions  80   c  and  80   d.  The differential voltage varies in the presence of a magnetic field. To minimize errors in the differential voltage readings, different phases are measured and commutatively processed, where each phase corresponds to apply current to a different N+ region and measuring the differential voltage across a corresponding pair of N+ regions. For example, a first phase is as described above, a second phase applies current to the N=region  80   c,  grounds the N+ region  80   d,  and measures the differential voltage across the N+ regions  80   a  and  80   b,  and so on as to apply current to each N+ region. 
         [0073]      FIG. 10C  illustrates the cell  70  including a cover layer  82  according to an embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10C , the cover layer  82  is translucent.  FIG. 10D  illustrates the cell  70 ′ including a cover layer  82 ′ according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10D , the cover layer  82 ′ is opaque. As used herein “translucent” shall mean that light, as previously defined, is permitted to pass through the cover layer without undue attenuation. Therefore, “translucent”, as defined herein, includes transparent. A variety of inorganic and organic materials may be used for the cover layer, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The translucent cover layer may selectively filter one or more ranges of wavelengths of the impinging light for the reasons set forth previously. Also, as used herein, “opaque” shall mean that light is substantially blocked from passing through the cover layer. A cover layer may still be considered as being opaque even if a certain amount of light passes through to underlying layers if the amount of light transmitted through the cover layer does not affect the operation of the layers below. Opaque layers may be conveniently be made of metal, such as aluminum, although other materials are suitable as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. 
         [0074]      FIG. 10E  illustrates the cell  70 ″ including a cover layer  82 ″ according to yet another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10E , a portion  82 ″ a  of the cover layer  82 ″ over the Pwell  76  is translucent and a portion  82 ″ b  over the N+ regions  80   a,    80   b,    80   c,  and  80   d  is opaque. The portions  82 ″ a  may selectively filter one or more ranges of wavelengths of the impinging light for the reasons set forth previously. 
         [0075]    Implementation of one of the cover layers  82 ,  82 ′, and  82 ″ is application specific. In order for the cell to function as a light sensor, the Pwell  76  must be exposed to light, which requires a translucent cover layer as in  FIGS. 10C and 10E . In some applications, the light sensor results can be improved by compensating for “dark current” in the photodiode, where the dark current is a measure of leakage current, noise, and random fluctuations in the photodiode. The dark current can be determined by using an opaque cover layer, as in  FIG. 10D , over the Pwell  76  and measuring the corresponding current of the photodiode. In this manner, the cell  70 ′ in  FIG. 10D  functions as a dark cell. In some embodiments, one or more cells in a sensor block can include an opaque cover layer to determine the dark current, which can then be used to compensate the light sensor signals obtained from those cells having a translucent cover layer. 
         [0076]    The cell can function as a Hall Effect magnetic sensor having either a translucent cover layer, as in  FIG. 10C , an opaque cover layer, as in  FIG. 10D , or combination opaque and translucent cover layer, as in  FIG. 10E . Hall Effect sensors may be negatively effected when exposed to light. In some applications, the effects of impinging light are negligible or can be compensated for, which enables the use of the translucent cover layer. In this case, the light effects on a Hall Effect cell can be previously determined, and the control block and the conditioning block can be configured to compensate for the previously determined light effect. In other applications, the light effect on a Hall Effect sensor is too great which requires the use of the opaque cover layer. In those embodiments where one or more cells in a sensor block include an opaque cover layer, such as in  FIG. 10D , the one or more dark cells can function to both determine a dark current measurement and function as a Hall Effect sensor that is not exposed to light. As opposed to, or in addition to, having some cells entirely covered with a translucent cover layer and one or more cells entirely covered with an opaque layer, one some or all of the cells can be configured having the combination opaque and translucent cover layer, such as in  FIG. 10E . In general, a sensor block having a plurality of cells can be configured such that the plurality of cells are configured having any combination of cover layers, such as the translucent cover layer  82  in  FIG. 10C , the opaque cover layer  82 ′ in  FIG. 10D , and the combination cover layer  82 ″ in  FIG. 10E . 
         [0077]    In the exemplary configuration shown in  FIG. 10A , the cell  70  includes one Pwell and four N+ regions. In alternative configurations, the cell can include more than one Pwell and more than four N+ regions. The relative number, size and positions of the Pwell and N+ regions shown in  FIG. 10A  is for exemplary purposes only and is not limiting of the possible numbers, sizes, and positions of Pwells and N+ regions. 
         [0078]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate, by way of example and not limitation, a second combination photodiode and Hall Effect sensor cell  170  according to an embodiment.  FIG. 11A  is a top plan view of the cell  170  and  FIG. 11B  is a cross-section taken along line  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 11A . The cell  170  includes an N-substrate  174 , a Pwell  176 , a Pwell  178 , a plurality of N+ regions  180  including N+ regions  180   a,    180   b,    180   c  and  180   d,  and a cover layer  182 . The N-substrate is typically silicon (e.g., an N-doped monocrystalline silicon wafer), although other semiconductor materials can be used as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Although only the N-substrate is shown in  FIG. 11B , the substrate of the semiconductor die within which the cell  170  is formed can be comprised of one or more additional substrate layers. For example, the N-substrate  174  may be an N-EPI layer formed within a P-substrate. Also, it should be noted that the polarities recited herein may be reversed, such that N-doped material can be P-doped and vice versa. An advantage of a multiple Pwell configuration is cover each Pwell with a different light filter to provide a specific photo response. 
         [0079]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11B , the cover layer  182  is a translucent cover layer.  FIG. 11C  illustrates the cell  170 ′ including a cover layer  182 ′ according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11C , the cover layer  182 ′ is opaque.  FIG. 11D  illustrates the cell  170 ″ including a cover layer  182 ″ according to yet another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 11D , a portion  182 ″ a  of the cover layer  182 ″ over the Pwell  176  is translucent and a portion  182 ″ b  over the N+ regions  180 , including N+ regions  180   a,    180   b,    180   c , and  180   d,  is opaque. 
         [0080]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate, by way of example and not limitation, a third combination photodiode and Hall Effect sensor cell  84 .  FIG. 12A  is a top plan view of the cell  84  and  FIG. 12B  is a cross-section taken along line  12 B- 12 B of  FIG. 12A . The cell  84  includes an N-substrate  88 , four P wells  90   a,    90   b,    90   c  and  90   d,  a four N+ regions  92   a,    92   b,    92   c  and  92   d,  and a cover layer  86 . The N-substrate is typically silicon although other semiconductor materials can be used as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The polarities recited herein may be reversed, such that N-doped material can be P-doped and vice versa. 
         [0081]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12B , the cover layer  86  is a translucent cover layer.  FIG. 12C  illustrates the cell  84 ′ including a cover layer  86 ′ according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12C , the cover layer  86 ′ is opaque.  FIG. 12D  illustrates the cell  84 ″ including a cover layer  86 ″ according to yet another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12D , a portion  86 ″ b  of the cover layer  86 ″ over the Pwells  90   a  and  90   b  is translucent and a portion  86 ″ a  over the N+ regions  92 , including N+ regions  90   a,    90   b,    90   c,  and  90   d,  is opaque. 
         [0082]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate, by way of example and not limitation, a combination photodiode and additional sensor(s) cell  94 .  FIG. 13A  is a top plan view of the cell  94  and  FIG. 13B  is a cross-section taken along line  13 B- 13 B of  FIG. 13A . The cell  94  includes an N-substrate  98 , four Pwells  100   a,    100   b,    100   c  and  100   d,  a cover layer  104 , and four additional sensor regions  102   a,    102   b,    102   c  and  102   d.  The N-substrate is typically silicon (e.g., an N-doped monocrystalline silicon wafer), although other semiconductor materials can be used as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The polarities recited herein may be reversed, such that N-doped material can be P-doped and vice versa. 
         [0083]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13B , the cover layer  104  is a translucent cover layer.  FIG. 13C  illustrates the cell  94 ′ including a cover layer  104 ′ according to another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13C , the cover layer  104 ′ is opaque.  FIG. 13D  illustrates the cell  94 ″ including a cover layer  110 ″ according to yet another embodiment. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13D , a portion  104 ″ b  of the cover layer  104 ″ over the Pwells is translucent and a portion  104 ″ a  over the regions  102 , including regions  102   a,    102   b,    102   c,  and  102   d,  is opaque. 
         [0084]    The additional sensor(s)  102   a,    102   b,    102   c,    102   d  can be the same as each other or can be different from each other. For example, the additional sensors  102   a,    102   b,    102   c,    102   d  may be Hall Effect sensor cells. By way of further example, the additional sensors  102   a,    102   b,    102   c ,  102   d  may be combination sensor cells such as the combination sensor cell  70 ,  170 , and  84 . In this second example, the photodiodes of the cells  70 ,  170 , and  84  can serve as “dark” photodiodes for the purposes set forth above if the portion  104 ″ a  is opaque. 
         [0085]    Each of the cells described above includes a cover layer. Alternatively, the cells can be configured without a cover layer. 
         [0086]      FIG. 14  illustrates a conceptual block diagram of a combination photodiode and Hall Effect sensor cell which is conveniently referenced with respect to  FIGS. 12A and 12B  by way of a non-limiting example. The photodiode portion of the cell  84  in  FIG. 12A  includes the Pwells  90   a,    90   b,    90   c,    90   d  which are functionally represented as Pwell diodes in  FIG. 14 . A control block is implemented in part using a bypass switch  112  by way of example. The Pwell diodes  90   a,    90   b,    90   c,    90   d  are each coupled to the N-substrate  88 . The N+ regions  92   a,    92   b ,  92   c,    92   d  are coupled to a Hall Effect Driver/Multiplexer  114 . The operation of Hall Effect magnetic sensors and the construction and use of Hall Effect drivers are well known to those of skill in the art. In operation, optical sensing using the Pwells does not occur concurrently as magnetic sensing using the N+ regions. The cell  84  functions as a Hall Effect magnetic sensor by closing the switch  112 , thereby forming a short across the Pwells  90   a,    90   b,    90   c,    90   d  and rending the photodiodes inoperable. To resume photo-detection, the switch  112  is opened. 
         [0087]    In some embodiments, the sensed signals corresponding to both the optical sensor and the magnetic sensor of a cell can be processed used a common conditioner circuit.  FIG. 15  illustrates a block diagram of a circuit  116  including a multiple sensors-type sensor, such as the multiple sensor-types block  54  in  FIG. 6 , and a signal conditioner set forth by way of non-limiting example. A signal conditioner can include, but is not limited to, a differential amplifier  120 , an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)  122 , a digital signal processor (DSP)  124 , and a gain circuit  126 . The multiple sensors-type sensor  118  is coupled to the differential amplifier  120 , in this non-limiting example. An output of the amplifier  120  is input into the ADC  122  having an N bit output. The optional DSP  124  can further condition the signal. The gain control circuit  126  is, in this example, coupled between the output of the amplifier  120  and one of its inputs. The DSP  124  may provide a control signal on a line  128  to the gain circuit  126 . The signal conditioner is configured to process two different signals, the optical related signal and the magnetic related signal. It is understood that alternative signal processing circuits can be used to process the optical related signals and the magnetic related signals output from the multiple sensor-types sensor. For example, an alternative conditioner circuit including additional or different circuit components than those shown in  FIG. 15  can be used to commonly process the optical related signals and the magnetic related signals. As another example, separate processing circuits can be used to process the optical related signals and the magnetic related signals. 
         [0088]      FIGS. 16A-16C  illustrate various combinations of elements to provide a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device. In  FIG. 16A , a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device  130 A includes a semiconductor die  132   a  having a combination magnetic/optical cell. In  FIG. 16B , a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device  130 B includes a semiconductor die  132   b  having a combination photodiode dark/magnetic block and an optical sensor block. In  FIG. 16C , a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device  130 C includes a semiconductor die  132 C having an optical sensor block, a photodiode dark block, and a magnetic block. Other combinations are also contemplated. The configurations shown in  FIGS. 16A-16C  are directed to different combination on the block level. Similar configurations can be applied at the cell level within the blocks. 
         [0089]    The embodiments described above are directed to multiple sensor-types cells where the sensing elements of the different sensor-types are essentially co-planar. For example, the Pwells used for optical sensing and the N+ regions used for magnetic sensing are positioned at a top surface of the substrate. In alternative embodiments, the optical sensing elements and the magnetic sensing elements do not have to be co-planar. For example, the optical sensing elements can stacked above the magnetic sensing elements since magnetic fields to be detected penetrate below a surface of the substrate. 
         [0090]      FIG. 17  illustrates the use of a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device in a “flip-phone” or notebook computer  134  by way of non-limiting example. The flip-phone or notebook computer  134  includes a base portion  136  having a keyboard  138  and a top portion  140  having a screen  142 . The base portion  136  and top portion  140  are connected by a hinge  144  for relative motion as indicated at  146 . A magnet  148  is provided in the base portion  136  and a magnetic/optical multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device  150  is provided in top portion  140 . The multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device  150  can therefore serve as an ambient light sensor (ALS) to, for example, control the backlighting of screen  142 , and to detect when the notebook computer is closed (by sensing the magnetic field of the magnet  148 ). 
         [0091]      FIG. 18  illustrates the use of a multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device as part of a window shade control  152  which detects both ambient light and position of the window shade by way of further non-limiting example. Window shade control  152  includes a first portion  152   a  which moves in relation to a second portion  152   b  as indicated at  154 . A magnet  156  is provided in portion  152   b  and a magnet/optical multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device  158  is provided in portion  152   a.  The window shade control can then adjust the position of the window shade based upon ambient light and relative positions of the shade portions. This arrangement also works well for other apparatus having mutually sliding members, such as some cell phones. 
         [0092]    The present application has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the multiple sensor-types integrated circuit device. Many of the components shown and described in the various figures can be interchanged to achieve the results necessary, and this description should be read to encompass such interchange as well. As such, references herein to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.