Patent ID: 7435943

Claim:
A light sensor that generates a first output signal indicative of an intensity of light received from a predetermined direction in a first band of wavelengths, said light sensor comprising: a substrate having first and second photodetectors that receive light from said predetermined direction, said first and second photodetectors being sensitive to light in the infrared portion of the optical spectrum as well as to light in said first band of wavelengths, said first and second photodetectors generating first and second photodetector signals, indicative of an intensity of light received by each of said first and second photodetectors, respectively; a first filter layer that transmits light in said first band of wavelengths and light in the infrared portion of the optical spectrum, said first filter layer intercepting light from said predetermined direction before said light reaches said second photodetector and blocking light in a portion of the visible spectrum outside of said first band of wavelengths, said first filter layer not altering light received by said first photodetector; and a controller that processes said first and second photodetector signals to produce said first output signal, said first output signal depending less on light in said infrared portion of the optical spectrum than said second photodetector signal.