Illuminance sensor and method for controlling same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an illuminance sensor comprising: a plurality of optical sensors, forming an optical sensor array, for receiving light; and a control unit for limiting the amount of light detected by the optical sensor array of the light incident to the front to 40-60% of a preset maximum amount of light, and controlling the amount of light detected by the optical sensor array so that the amount of light detected of the light incident from the side, at 30-60 degrees of the optical sensor array, is maintained at 90% or greater of the preset maximum amount of light.

Description

Illumination sensor and control method of the illumination sensor

[0001] The present invention relates to an illuminance sensor, and more specifically, to an illuminance sensor having sensitivity specificity for light received at a specific angle.

[0002] With the advancement of technology, devices that perform various functions based on the results of detecting the surrounding environment are emerging. These devices may be specialized to perform specific functions in specific environments, and to perform said specific functions more accurately and efficiently, they may require a specific level of light sensitivity to light from a specific direction to detect light from that direction more sensitively.

[0003] Here, light sensitivity refers to the degree of response to light and can represent the measurement sensitivity of a light sensor. The higher the light sensitivity, the higher the responsiveness even in dark (low illumination) conditions, which can lead to a high detection of light intensity; conversely, the lower the light sensitivity, the lower the responsiveness even in bright (high illumination) conditions, which can lead to a low detection of light intensity.

[0004] Meanwhile, the above devices may utilize an illuminance sensor as a means to detect ambient brightness. Typically, an illuminance sensor is a type of light sensor that detects brightness, and it refers to a sensor that detects ambient brightness based on the amount of light detected, where the resistance value, current, or voltage varies according to the intensity of light. Therefore, for devices specialized to perform specific functions in specific environments, a need has arisen to increase the operational sensitivity of the device in a specific direction by making the illuminance sensor have specific light sensitivity for a specific light reception angle, thereby increasing the responsiveness to light incident from a specific direction, or conversely, to decrease the operational sensitivity of the device in a specific direction by decreasing the responsiveness to light incident from a specific direction.

[0005] Meanwhile, in response to these needs, illuminance sensors have emerged that possess a specific level of light sensitivity to light from a specific direction—that is, light sensitivity specificity for a specific angle of reception. However, current illuminance sensors utilize lenses and apertures with special three-dimensional shapes superimposed on light-detecting sensors to enable the sensors to exhibit light sensitivity specificity for the aforementioned angle of reception. Consequently, there is a problem in that the thickness of the illuminance sensor increases due to the volume of the lenses and apertures superimposed on the light sensor. Furthermore, this increased thickness of the illuminance sensor leads to an increase in the volume of the devices in which it is mounted.

[0006] Furthermore, current illuminance sensors are designed to possess light sensitivity specificity for a specific light reception angle based on the three-dimensional shapes of the lens and aperture; however, there is a problem in that it is difficult to modify the light sensitivity specificity for angles other than the specific light reception angle determined by the three-dimensional shapes. In other words, an illuminance sensor that satisfies the light sensitivity angle specificity for a specific light reception angle required by a specific device can only be used in said specific device, and there is a problem in that it is difficult to use in other devices that require light sensitivity angle specificity for other light reception angles. Consequently, there is a problem in that an illuminance sensor must be custom-manufactured for each device to satisfy the light sensitivity angle specificity required by that device.

[0007] Furthermore, current illuminance sensors satisfy the light sensitivity requirements for a specific light reception angle through the three-dimensional shapes of the lens and aperture, but they have the problem of possessing analog characteristics in which light sensitivity changes continuously with changes in the light reception angle. Consequently, while they can generally satisfy the light sensitivity for each light reception angle required by specific devices, there is a problem in that they fail to sufficiently satisfy the light sensitivity for a specific light reception angle required by customers, as well as the characteristics of light sensitivity change with changes in the light reception angle.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems and other problems, and aims to provide an illuminance sensor and a control method for the illuminance sensor that can sufficiently satisfy light sensitivity for a specific light reception angle required by a customer and characteristics of change in light sensitivity according to a change in the light reception angle.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide an illuminance sensor capable of satisfying light sensitivity for a specific light reception angle and a change in light sensitivity according to a change in the light reception angle without a lens having a special three-dimensional shape and an aperture, and a method for controlling the illuminance sensor said illuminance sensor.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above or other purposes, an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of light sensors that receive light and form a light sensor array, and a control unit that controls the amount of light detected in the light sensor array such that the amount of light detected for light incident in the front direction of the light sensor array is 40% or more and 60% or less of a preset maximum value of light, and the amount of light detected for light incident from the side of the light sensor array at 30 to 60 degrees is maintained at 90% or more of a preset maximum value of light.

[0011] In one embodiment, the illuminance sensor further comprises a memory in which a plurality of compensation values ​​corresponding to each of different light reception angles in which the light is incident along a specific direction are stored, and the control unit calculates the light reception angle based on the difference in light quantity between at least one light sensor arranged in a different row or column of the light sensor array, and adjusts the amount of light detected by the light sensor array by compensating the amount of light detected by the light sensor array with a compensation value corresponding to the calculated light reception angle.

[0012] In one embodiment, the different light receiving angles include different first light receiving angles along the horizontal direction in which the light is received and different second light receiving angles along the vertical direction in which the light is received, and the plurality of compensation values ​​are characterized by having different values ​​depending on the direction in which the light is received and the light receiving angle.

[0013] In one embodiment, the control unit detects the receiving angle of the first direction and the receiving angle of the second direction for light incident on the light sensor array based on the difference in light intensity between at least one light sensor arranged in different rows or columns, and compensates the amount of light in the first direction and the amount of light in the second direction incident on the light sensor array, respectively, with compensation values ​​corresponding to the detected receiving angle of the first direction and the receiving angle of the second direction.

[0014] In one embodiment, the control unit calculates the sum of light amounts detected by light sensors arranged in different columns in the light sensor array, detects the light receiving angle of the first direction based on the difference between the sums of light amounts calculated for each column, calculates the sum of light amounts detected by light sensors arranged in different rows, and detects the light receiving angle of the second direction based on the difference between the sums of light amounts calculated for each row.

[0015] In one embodiment, the control unit controls the amount of light detected by the light sensor array such that, for light incident from a side angle of less than 30 degrees to the left or right from 0 degrees in the front direction of the light sensor array, the amount of light detected by the light sensor array gradually decreases according to the size of the light reception angle, so that a minimum amount of light is detected when light is incident from the front direction of the light sensor array.

[0016] In one embodiment, the illuminance sensor is disposed on the back surface of a back cover that supports the back surface of a display panel, and the back cover is formed to allow light to pass through and is characterized by having a back cover hole formed at a position that overlaps with the light sensor array and is proportional to the size of the active area of ​​the light sensor array.

[0017] In one embodiment, an air gap is formed between the back cover and the light sensor array, and the maximum and minimum light reception angles at which light can be received by the light sensor array are determined differently depending on the size of the air gap.

[0018] In one embodiment, the control unit is characterized by detecting a compensation value corresponding to another light-receiving angle closest to the calculated light-receiving angle as the compensation value corresponding to the calculated light-receiving angle when there is no compensation value corresponding to the calculated light-receiving angle in the memory.

[0019] In one embodiment, the control unit detects at least one adjacent light receiving angle that is smaller or larger than the calculated light receiving angle, and detects an intermediate value calculated based on the difference between the detected at least one adjacent light receiving angle and the calculated light receiving angle as a compensation value corresponding to the calculated light receiving angle.

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above or other purposes, a control method for the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a step of detecting light quantities from each of the plurality of light sensors; a step of calculating the sum of light quantities detected by each of the light sensors arranged in different columns and detecting a light receiving angle of a first direction based on the difference of the light quantity sums calculated for each row; a step of calculating the sum of light quantities detected by each of the light sensors arranged in different rows and detecting a light receiving angle of a second direction based on the difference of the light quantity sums calculated for each column; a step of detecting a light quantity compensation value of the first direction and a light quantity compensation value of the second direction corresponding to each of the light receiving angles of the first direction and the light receiving angle of the second direction, respectively, from a plurality of light quantity compensation values ​​corresponding to each of the different light receiving angles in which the light is incident along the first direction or the second direction; and a step of compensating the light quantity of the first direction and the light quantity of the second direction detected from the light sensor array with the first direction compensation value and the second direction compensation value, respectively, to a specific light receiving angle. It is characterized by including a step of adjusting the amount of light of the above-mentioned optical sensor array.

[0021] In one embodiment, the compensation value of the first direction is characterized by including a compensation value that limits the amount of light detected by the light sensor array such that the amount of light detected for light incident in the 0-degree direction, which is the front direction of the light sensor array, is 40% or more and 60% or less of a preset maximum amount of light, and compensation values ​​such that the amount of light detected by the light sensor array such that the amount of light detected for light incident from the 30 to 60-degree side of the light sensor array is maintained at 90% or more of a preset maximum amount of light.

[0022] In one embodiment, the preset maximum light quantity is characterized as being the amount of light detected by the light sensor array for light incident along a specific light reception angle of the first or second direction.

[0023] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the present invention has a configuration for calculating a horizontal component and a vertical component of light detected by an illuminance sensor based on the difference in light amounts detected from each of a plurality of light sensors disposed at different locations, detecting a horizontal angle and a vertical angle of light based on the calculated horizontal component and a vertical component, and compensating each of the plurality of light sensors with a horizontal compensation value and a vertical compensation value corresponding to a specific light sensitivity specificity for a specific light reception angle for the detected horizontal angle and a vertical angle.

[0024] Accordingly, the present invention has the effect of providing an illuminance sensor that more accurately matches the light sensitivity for a specific light receiving angle and the change in light sensitivity according to the change in the light receiving angle by making the illuminance sensor have light sensitivity specificity for a specific horizontal angle and a specific vertical angle based on the horizontal compensation value and the vertical compensation value.

[0025] In addition, the present invention enables the illuminance sensor to have light sensitivity specificity for a specific light receiving angle based on horizontal compensation values ​​and vertical compensation values ​​applied according to the horizontal and vertical angles of the detected light, so that a lens and aperture having a special three-dimensional shape are not required. Therefore, the present invention has the effect of providing an illuminance sensor having a thinner thickness.

[0026] In addition, the present invention has the effect of enabling the light sensitivity specificity for a specific light receiving angle to be changed by varying the horizontal and vertical compensation values ​​applied according to the horizontal and vertical angles of the detected light, instead of a lens and aperture having a three-dimensional shape. Therefore, the light sensitivity specificity for a specific light receiving angle can be changed by varying the horizontal and vertical compensation values ​​applied for each angle. Thus, it has the effect of providing a light sensor that can be applied to devices requiring various light sensitivity specificities without changing the physical structure.

[0027] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the structure of an illuminance sensor comprising a plurality of light sensors forming an array according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIGS. 2a and 2b are exemplary diagrams illustrating examples of light sensitivity specificity for horizontal angles and light sensitivity specificity for vertical angles required for an illuminance sensor.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation process of detecting the light reception angle based on the difference in light intensity and applying a compensation value according to the detected light reception angle in an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 is an example diagram illustrating the vertical component (vertical angle) and horizontal component (horizontal angle) of the receiving angle calculated based on the difference in light intensity in Figure 4.

[0032] FIG. 6 is an illustrative diagram showing examples of compensation values ​​(weights) applied to different horizontal angles of light according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating the structure of a conventional light sensor formed by overlapping a lens and an aperture having a specific three-dimensional shape.

[0034] FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the structure of an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the range of light reception angles capable of receiving light changes due to an air gap formed between a back cover and a light sensor array in an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the structure of an illuminance sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention in which a hole is covered by a display panel.

[0037] It should be noted that technical terms used in this specification are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Additionally, singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The suffixes "module" and "part" for components used in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably solely for the ease of drafting the specification and do not inherently possess distinct meanings or roles.

[0038] In this specification, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as potentially excluding some of the components or steps, or including additional components or steps.

[0039] In addition, when describing the technology disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of related prior art could obscure the essence of the technology disclosed in this specification, such detailed description is omitted.

[0040] In addition, the attached drawings are intended only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concept disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings; it should be understood that they include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, not only each of the embodiments described below, but also combinations of embodiments may fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention as modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the structure of an illuminance sensor comprising a plurality of light sensors forming an array according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] First, referring to FIG. 1(a), FIG. 1(a) shows an example of a display device (1) equipped with an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the display device (1) may be a display device that is placed in a vehicle, etc., and may be a display device that outputs navigation information or vehicle information.

[0043] Meanwhile, an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may be arranged to overlap a cover glass (20) protecting a display panel (30) in the display device (1), a display panel (30), and a back cover (40) supporting the display panel (30). In this case, a hole (10) may be formed in the display panel (30) and the back cover (40) so that light passing through the cover glass (20) can be incident thereon, and a substrate (PCB, Printed Circuit Board) (60) equipped with a light sensor array (110) including a plurality of light sensors may be arranged on the lower side, i.e., the back side, of the back cover (40).

[0044] Meanwhile, the light sensor array (110) can be positioned to overlap the location where the hole (10) is formed, as shown in (b) of FIG. 1. Accordingly, light transmitted through the cover glass (20) can be incident on the light sensor array (110) through the hole (10), and each light sensor (111, 112, 113, 114) constituting the light sensor array (110) can detect the amount of light incident through the hole (10).

[0045] Meanwhile, as previously mentioned, there is a need to increase the operational sensitivity of a specific device in a specific direction by increasing the responsiveness to light incident from a specific direction, or conversely, to decrease the operational sensitivity of a specific device in a specific direction, so that the specific device can perform a specific function more stably in a specific environment. Furthermore, the responsiveness to light, that is, the sensitivity to light, is determined by the light detection result of an illuminance sensor equipped in the specific device.

[0046] Therefore, manufacturers of the aforementioned specific devices are requiring an illuminance sensor that satisfies the above needs, namely an illuminance sensor having specificity in light sensitivity according to the horizontal angle of the received light, i.e., the horizontal angle, and specificity in light sensitivity according to the vertical angle of the received light, i.e., the vertical angle.

[0047] Here, the horizontal direction may be a landscape direction based on the substrate (60) equipped with the light sensor array (110) or the display device (1) on which the light sensor is placed, and the vertical direction may mean a portrait direction based on the substrate (60) equipped with the light sensor array (110) or the display device (1) on which the light sensor is placed. For convenience of explanation, in the following description, the angle at which light is received by the light sensor array (110) along the horizontal direction will be referred to as the horizontal light receiving angle, and the angle at which light is received by the light sensor array (111) along the vertical direction will be referred to as the vertical light receiving angle.

[0048] FIGS. 2a and 2b are exemplary diagrams illustrating examples of light sensitivity angle specificity for horizontal angles and light sensitivity angle specificity for vertical angles required for an illuminance sensor.

[0049] First, referring to FIG. 2a, FIG. 2a (a) illustrates an example of a horizontal angle of light received by an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2a (b) illustrates an example of an angle specificity of light sensitivity for a specific horizontal angle required of the illuminance sensor.

[0050] Referring to (a) of FIG. 2a, the illuminance sensor can detect light incident from the left direction and light incident from the right direction with respect to the front direction by distinguishing them into different horizontal reception angles. For example, the light incident from the left direction can be represented as a horizontal reception angle having a negative value, and the light incident from the right direction can be represented as a horizontal reception angle having a positive value. In this case, the reception angle of the light received from the front can be represented as having a horizontal reception angle of 0 degrees.

[0051] As shown in (a) of FIG. 2a, the specific device equipped with an illuminance sensor may be an in-vehicle infotainment device equipped in a vehicle that provides various information, such as navigation information or vehicle information. In this case, the specific device may be installed on the dashboard of the vehicle, and as shown in (a) of FIG. 2a, it may be positioned in the center of the dashboard formed in front of the driver's seat and the passenger seat, that is, between the dashboard area formed in front of the passenger seat and the dashboard area formed in front of the driver's seat. By being positioned in this way, not only the driver but also the passenger seat of the vehicle can easily check the information provided by the specific device.

[0052] Meanwhile, when a specific device is placed in the central area of ​​the dashboard as described above, as shown in (a) of FIG. 2a, a driver and a passenger may be seated on both sides of the specific device. Therefore, in order to detect various situations such as the gestures of the driver and passenger, the light sensitivity in the directions of both sides of the specific device must be higher than in the front, and the light sensitivity in the front direction must be relatively lower. In other words, it is necessary to have higher light sensitivity in the direction where a person is present, and conversely, to limit light sensitivity in the direction where no person is present.

[0053] Accordingly, the illuminance sensor required by the manufacturer of the aforementioned specific device may be required to have light sensitivity angle specificity, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2a, having high light sensitivity (90% or more and 110% or less) for light with a light reception angle between 30 and 60 degrees on the left and right sides, i.e., a horizontal light reception angle between -30 degrees and -60 degrees, and between +30 degrees and +60 degrees, but having low light sensitivity (20% or more and 60% or less) in the front direction, i.e., 0 degrees. In addition, in this case, light sensitivity angle specificity may be required in which light sensitivity decreases linearly in proportion to the light reception angle for light with a horizontal light reception angle between 30 degrees on the left and right sides and 0 degrees.

[0054] Meanwhile, referring to (a) of FIG. 2b, the illuminance sensor can detect light incident from the lower direction and light incident from the upper direction with respect to the horizontal direction by distinguishing them into different vertical reception angles. For example, the light incident from the lower direction can be represented as a vertical reception angle having a negative value, and the light incident from the upper direction can be represented as a vertical reception angle having a positive value. In this case, the reception angle of the light received from the horizontal direction can be represented as having a vertical reception angle of 0 degrees.

[0055] Meanwhile, as shown in (a) of FIG. 2b, the specific device may require a light sensitivity angle specificity having high light sensitivity within a certain vertical angle range. Accordingly, the illuminance sensor of the specific device may require a light sensitivity angle specificity having a maximum light sensitivity (90% or more and 110% or less) between -45 degrees and +45 degrees, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2b.

[0056] Meanwhile, FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, satisfying the light sensitivity angle specificity for the horizontal light receiving angle and the light sensitivity angle specificity for the vertical light receiving angle as seen in FIG. 2a (b) and FIG. 2b (b) described above.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a control unit (100) as seen in FIG. 1, a light sensor array (110) connected to the control unit (100) and composed of a plurality of light sensors (111, 112, ... n), and a memory (120). Since the components shown in FIG. 3 are not essential for implementing the illuminance sensor, the illuminance sensor described in this specification may have more or fewer components than those listed above.

[0058] Here, each light sensor constituting the light sensor array (110) may be composed of a photodiode. Additionally, each light sensor may be placed at a different location. Accordingly, each light sensor can detect the amount of light in different regions where light is incident through the back cover hole (10). Accordingly, the amount of light detected by each light sensor may differ depending on the location where the light sensor is placed and the angle of light received through the back cover hole (10), i.e., the receiving angle. In other words, a difference in the amount of light can be formed depending on the receiving angle and the placement location of each light sensor.

[0059] Meanwhile, the control unit (100) can control the overall operation of the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the control unit (100) can detect light quantities from each light sensor constituting the light sensor array (110) and calculate a difference in light quantity in the horizontal or vertical direction depending on the position where each light sensor is placed. In this case, the calculated difference in light quantity in the horizontal direction can form the horizontal component of the receiving angle, and the calculated difference in light quantity in the vertical direction can form the vertical component of the receiving angle. That is, the control unit (100) can calculate a horizontal component, which is the horizontal vector component of the receiving angle, and a vertical component, which is the vertical vector component, based on the difference in light quantities detected from each light sensor constituting the light sensor array (110).

[0060] And the control unit (100) can detect the horizontal angle of the receiving angle corresponding to the horizontal component of the calculated receiving angle. In addition, the control unit (100) can detect the vertical angle of the receiving angle corresponding to the vertical component of the calculated receiving angle.

[0061] To this end, the memory (120) can store information on horizontal angles corresponding to each of the different horizontal components of the receiving angle. Additionally, the memory (120) can store information on vertical angles corresponding to each of the different vertical components of the receiving angle. Accordingly, the control unit (100) can detect the horizontal angle of the receiving angle corresponding to the calculated difference in light intensity in the horizontal direction, and can detect the vertical angle of the receiving angle corresponding to the calculated difference in light intensity in the vertical direction.

[0062] Then, the control unit (100) can detect a compensation value corresponding to the detected horizontal angle among the light sensitivity compensation values ​​corresponding to different horizontal angles stored in the memory (120). In this case, the light sensitivity compensation values ​​corresponding to different horizontal angles may be compensation values ​​set for each different horizontal angle to satisfy the light sensitivity angle specificity for a specific horizontal angle, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2a.

[0063] In this case, that is, as shown in (b) of Fig. 2a above, a compensation value can be set so that maximum light sensitivity is formed by ensuring that light sensitivity is not limited when the detected horizontal angle is between -30 degrees and -60 degrees and between +30 degrees and +60 degrees (e.g., compensation value 0%). On the other hand, when the detected horizontal angle is between -30 degrees and 0 degrees or between +30 degrees and 0 degrees, a compensation value can be set so that light sensitivity is limited to a maximum of 60% depending on the horizontal angle (e.g., compensation value -60% when the horizontal angle is 0 degrees).

[0064] In addition, as shown in (b) of Fig. 2b, a compensation value can be set so that the maximum light sensitivity is formed by ensuring that the light sensitivity is not limited when the detected horizontal angle is between -45 degrees and +45 degrees (e.g., compensation value 0%).

[0065] To this end, the memory (120) can store information of light sensitivity compensation values ​​corresponding to each of a plurality of different horizontal angles so that the angle specificity of light sensitivity for a specific horizontal angle is satisfied. In addition, the memory (120) can store information of light sensitivity compensation values ​​corresponding to each of a plurality of different vertical lights so that the angle specificity of light sensitivity for a specific vertical angle is satisfied.

[0066] Based on the information of the compensation values ​​stored in the memory (120) as described above, the control unit (100) can determine the compensation value for the horizontal angle component and the compensation value for the vertical angle component of the light reception angle calculated according to the difference in light intensity. Then, by applying the determined compensation value for the horizontal angle component and the compensation value for the vertical angle component to the light intensity detected by each light sensor, the light intensity detected at a specific horizontal angle or a specific vertical angle can be compensated. Accordingly, in this case, the light intensity detected at the specific horizontal angle represents the sensitivity specificity of the illuminance sensor for the specific horizontal angle, and the light intensity detected at the specific vertical angle represents the sensitivity specificity of the illuminance sensor for the specific vertical angle; thus, the illuminance sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention can satisfy the light sensitivity angle specificity for a specific horizontal angle and the light sensitivity angle specificity for a specific vertical angle.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation process of a control unit (100) that detects the light reception angle based on the difference in light intensity and applies a compensation value based on the detected light reception angle in an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating examples of the vertical component (vertical angle) and horizontal component (horizontal angle) of the light reception angle calculated based on the difference in light intensity in FIG. 4.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit (100) of the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention can first detect the amount of light received for each light sensor (S300). Then, based on the difference in the amount of light according to the position of each light sensor, it can detect the horizontal and vertical components of the received light (S302).

[0069] In this case, the light (500) incident through the back cover hole (10) can be represented as the sum of a horizontal vector component (510) and a vertical vector component (520), as shown in FIG. 5. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the receiving angle of the incident light (500) can be decomposed into a horizontal angle (horizontal angle, △h) and a vertical angle (vertical angle, △v) through vector decomposition. The horizontal angle (△h) and the vertical angle (△v) can be determined according to the difference in the amount of light detected by each light sensor forming the light sensor array (110).

[0070] For example, if the illuminance sensor of the present invention is equipped with a light sensor array (110) consisting of four light sensors, such as a first light sensor (light sensor a, 111), a second light sensor (light sensor b, 112), a third light sensor (light sensor c, 113), and a fourth light sensor (light sensor d, 114), as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 1, the first light sensor (a) (111) and the second light sensor (b) (112) may be light sensors positioned to the left with respect to a vertical line crossing the center of the light sensor array (110). That is, they may be sensors that detect light incident on the left side of the light sensor array (110) with respect to a vertical line passing through the center of the light sensor array (110).

[0071] On the other hand, the fourth light sensor (d) (114) and the third light sensor (c) (113) may be light sensors positioned to the right with respect to a vertical line crossing the center of the light sensor array (110). That is, they may be sensors that detect light incident on the right side of the light sensor array (110) with respect to a vertical line passing through the center of the light sensor array (110).

[0072] Meanwhile, when the light incident on the light sensor array (110) through the back cover hole (10) is light incident from the front direction, the amount of light incident on the first light sensor (light sensor a, 111) and the second light sensor (light sensor b, 112) and the amount of light incident on the third light sensor (light sensor c, 113) and the fourth light sensor (light sensor d, 114) may be the same. However, as the incident light tilts to the left (when the receiving angle of the left direction is represented as a negative number, the receiving angle becomes smaller) or to the right (when the receiving angle of the right direction is represented as a positive number, the receiving angle becomes larger), the size of the area where light is detected on the left or right side of the light sensor array (110) changes, and accordingly, the difference in the amount of light between the left and right sides of the light sensor array (110) may increase. That is, the difference in light intensity between the left and right sides of the light sensor array (110) can be determined according to the horizontal light reception angle of the received light.

[0073] In this case, the sum of the light amounts detected by the first light sensor (light sensor a, 111) and the second light sensor (light sensor b, 112) may be the light amount of light incident on the left side of the light sensor, and the sum of the light amounts detected by the third light sensor (light sensor c, 113) and the fourth light sensor (light sensor d, 114) may be the light amount of light incident on the right side of the light sensor. Accordingly, the control unit (100) can calculate the difference in light amounts by subtracting the sum of the light amounts detected by the third light sensor (light sensor c, 113) and the fourth light sensor (light sensor d, 114) from the sum of the light amounts detected by the first light sensor (light sensor a, 111) and the second light sensor (light sensor b, 112), and determine the horizontal component of the receiving angle, that is, the horizontal angle of the incident light, based on the calculated difference in light amounts.

[0074] Meanwhile, the first optical sensor (a) (111) and the fourth optical sensor (d) (114) may be optical sensors positioned above a horizontal line crossing the center of the optical sensor array (110). On the other hand, the second optical sensor (b) (112) and the third optical sensor (c) (113) may be optical sensors positioned below a vertical line crossing the center of the optical sensor array (110).

[0075] Meanwhile, if the light incident on the light sensor array (110) through the back cover hole (10) is light incident in a horizontal direction, the amount of light incident on the first light sensor (light sensor a, 111) and the fourth light sensor (light sensor d, 114) and the amount of light incident on the second light sensor (light sensor b, 112) and the third light sensor (light sensor c, 113) may be the same. However, as the incident light tilts downward (when the receiving angle in the downward direction is represented as a negative number, the receiving angle becomes smaller) or upward (when the receiving angle in the upward direction is represented as a positive number, the receiving angle becomes larger), the size of the area where light is detected on the upper or lower side of the light sensor array (110) changes, and accordingly, the difference in the amount of light between the upper and lower sides of the light sensor array (110) may increase. That is, the difference in light intensity between the upper and lower sides of the light sensor array (110) can be determined according to the vertical light reception angle of the received light.

[0076] In this case, the sum of the light amounts detected by the first light sensor (light sensor a, 111) and the fourth light sensor (light sensor d, 114) may be the light amount of light incident on the upper side of the light sensor, and the sum of the light amounts detected by the second light sensor (light sensor b, 112) and the third light sensor (light sensor c, 113) may be the light amount of light incident on the lower side of the light sensor. Accordingly, the control unit (100) can calculate the difference in light amount by subtracting the sum of the light amounts detected by the second light sensor (light sensor b, 112) and the third light sensor (light sensor c, 113) from the sum of the light amounts detected by the first light sensor (light sensor a, 111) and the fourth light sensor (light sensor d, 114), and determine the vertical component of the receiving angle, that is, the vertical angle of the incident light, based on the calculated difference in light amount.

[0077] In step S302 above, when the horizontal component of the light incident through the back cover hole (10), i.e., the horizontal receiving angle (horizontal angle), and the vertical component of the light, i.e., the vertical receiving angle (vertical angle), are detected, the control unit (100) can detect a horizontal compensation value corresponding to the detected horizontal angle of the incident light and a vertical compensation value corresponding to the detected vertical angle of the incident light from the memory (120), respectively (S304).

[0078] And the control unit (100) can compensate the amount of light detected from each light sensor of the light sensor array (110) with the detected compensation value in the horizontal direction and the compensation value in the vertical direction (S306). More specifically, the control unit (100) can apply the compensation value in the horizontal direction to the horizontal component according to the horizontal component (horizontal angle) of the light reception angle and apply the compensation value in the vertical direction to the vertical component according to the vertical component (vertical angle) of the light reception angle for the amount of light detected from each light sensor.

[0079] Meanwhile, the above compensation value is a compensation value for the above light quantity and may be intended to limit or compensate for light sensitivity. Accordingly, by limiting the amount of light detected for a horizontal angle of 0 degrees to between 20% and 60% (preferably limiting the amount of light to 40%), an illuminance sensor can be formed that satisfies the light sensitivity specificity for a specific direction (e.g., a horizontal angle of 0 degrees) as shown in (b) of FIG. 2a. Additionally, a compensation value for each light receiving angle within a horizontal angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees can be set so that the amount of light detected within a horizontal angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees is between 90% and 110% (preferably 100%), and for other light receiving angles, the amount of light detected by each light sensor according to the size of the light receiving angle can be limited using the above compensation value, thereby forming an illuminance sensor having the light sensitivity specificity shown in (b) of FIG. 2a.

[0080] Meanwhile, FIG. 6 illustrates an example in which the amount of light, i.e., the relative light intensity, detected by the light sensor array (110) changes for different horizontal light receiving angles (hereinafter referred to as horizontal angles) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is also an example illustrating an example in which different compensation values, i.e., weights, are reflected for the different horizontal angles so as to have specific light sensitivity characteristics for a specific light receiving angle.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 6, first, when the horizontal angle is 0 degrees (600), that is, when light is received from the front direction, a maximum amount of light can be detected in each light sensor forming the light sensor array (110). The relative light intensity shown in FIG. 6 represents the ratio of the amount of light detected for each different horizontal light receiving angle based on the maximum amount of light.

[0082] Meanwhile, the case where the horizontal angle is 30 degrees (610) may mean that the light incident through the back cover hole (10) is tilted 30 degrees in the horizontal direction. In this case, as the angle of incidence of light in FIG. 6 is tilted, the area where light is incident may change as shown at a horizontal angle of 30 degrees, and accordingly, a difference in the amount of light detected by each of the light sensors forming the array may occur. That is, as shown in the case where the horizontal angle is 30 degrees (610), the area of ​​the first light sensor (light sensor a) (111) and the second light sensor (light sensor b) (112) where light is incident in the light sensor array (110) becomes wider, while the area of ​​the third light sensor (light sensor c) (113) and the fourth light sensor (light sensor d) (114) where light is incident may become narrower. Accordingly, a difference in the amount of light in the horizontal direction may occur (the difference between the sum of the amount of light detected by the first light sensor (light sensor a) (111) and the second light sensor (light sensor b) (112) and the sum of the amount of light detected by the third light sensor (light sensor c) (113) and the fourth light sensor (light sensor d) (114). Additionally, as the receiving angle is tilted, the area where light is incident on the light sensor array (110) decreases overall, and the relative light intensity may decrease.

[0083] Meanwhile, as the angle at which the light is tilted increases (horizontal angle increase), the area on the light sensor array (110) where the light is incident may change, as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, a light intensity of a certain magnitude may be maintained up to a certain level of horizontal angle (e.g., horizontal angle 50 degrees) (640), but if the light is tilted beyond the said level of horizontal angle, the area where the light is incident on the light sensor array (110) is greatly reduced, and the relative light intensity may be greatly reduced. Furthermore, if the horizontal angle increases further, light may no longer be detected (650).

[0084] Meanwhile, regarding such changes in relative light intensity, the light intensity sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a light amount compensation value that causes it to have a specific light sensitivity at a specific horizontal angle, and in the case of FIG. 6, a weighting factor of the relative light intensity may be applied.

[0085] In this case, the weight can be set based on the reference (100%) when the incident light has a specific horizontal angle. For example, if light sensitivity characteristics such as those shown in (b) of FIG. 2a described above are required, the weight can be set based on the light sensitivity characteristics required at a horizontal angle of 30 degrees (1.0), and different weights according to different horizontal angles can be assigned.

[0086] For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2a above, if the required sensitivity characteristic at the front, i.e., a horizontal angle of 0 degrees, is 0.4, the illuminance sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention can apply a weight of 0.29 to the amount of light detected by each light sensor (600). On the other hand, if the required sensitivity characteristic at a horizontal angle of 30 degrees is 1.0, the illuminance sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention can apply a weight of 1.0 (standard) to the amount of light detected by each light sensor (610).

[0087] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6, the amount of light may decrease as the horizontal angle increases. Therefore, when the horizontal angle is 40 degrees, the amount of light may decrease compared to when the horizontal angle is 30 degrees. However, as seen in FIG. 2a (b), the required sensitivity characteristic is 100% (1.0), which is the same as when the horizontal angle is 30 degrees. Therefore, to compensate for the reduced amount of light when the horizontal angle is 40 degrees, a weight (1.31) with a value greater than 1.0 may be applied (620). Similarly, when the horizontal angle increases further to 50 degrees, where the amount of light decreases further, a larger weight (1.84) may be applied to compensate for the further reduced amount of light (630).

[0088] Meanwhile, when the horizontal angle is 70 degrees, the relative light intensity is only 0.05, but the required sensitivity characteristic may be 0.2 (20%). Accordingly, a very large weight (3.0) may be applied to form the required sensitivity characteristic (640). However, in the case of a horizontal angle of 80 degrees where no more light is incident, light may not be incident, and accordingly, the required sensitivity characteristic may also be 0. Therefore, there may be no weight applied (650).

[0089] Accordingly, in the illuminance sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the case of a horizontal angle of 0 degrees (610) in FIG. 6, a weighting factor, i.e., a compensation value, can be applied to attenuate the amount of light detected at a specific horizontal angle, and as shown in the case of a horizontal angle of 40 degrees (620), a horizontal angle of 50 degrees (630), and a horizontal angle of 70 degrees (640), a compensation value can be applied to amplify the amount of light detected by each light sensor to compensate for the amount of light decreasing with changes in the horizontal angle.

[0090] Meanwhile, with reference to FIGS. 7 and FIGS. 8, we will compare the structure of a conventional illuminance sensor and the structure of an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] First, referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 (a) shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional light sensor formed by overlapping a lens and an aperture having a specific three-dimensional shape, and FIG. 7 (b) is a plan view showing the shapes of the lens part, the aperture part, and the light sensor that overlap each other to form the conventional light sensor.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 7(a), a conventional illuminance sensor may be formed by sequentially overlapping a lens part (710) and an aperture part (720) having a specific three-dimensional shape on a PCB (740) on which a light sensor (730) is placed. In this case, light (700) transmitted through the cover glass (20) may be concentrated in the lens provided in the lens part (710) and may be refracted according to the three-dimensional shape of the lens. That is, the conventional illuminance sensor has a structure that causes the light concentrated according to the three-dimensional shape of the lens to be refracted in a specific direction, thereby dispersing light incident from a specific direction to attenuate light sensitivity or concentrating light incident from a specific direction to increase light sensitivity.

[0093] Meanwhile, an aperture part (720) with an aperture hole formed therein can be superimposed on the lower, i.e., the rear side of the lens part (710). Accordingly, light refracted through the lens of the lens part (710) can pass through the aperture hole and be incident on the light sensor (730). The light sensor (730) can detect the amount of light around the illuminance sensor by detecting the amount of light incident through the aperture hole.

[0094] Since it has such a structure, the above-mentioned conventional illuminance sensor requires a lens that disperses light incident from a specific direction to attenuate the amount of light, or concentrates light to increase the amount of light. In addition, since the lens must be able to disperse or concentrate light differently depending on the direction in which the light is incident, it must have a specific three-dimensional shape.

[0095] Therefore, a conventional light sensor has a problem in that its thickness increases as shown in FIG. 7 because the lens part (710) including the lens having the specific three-dimensional shape and the aperture part (720) superimposed on the lens part (710) must be superimposed. Furthermore, a conventional light sensor has a configuration in which light incident from a specific direction is dispersed or concentrated according to the shape of the lens so that the amount of light incident from a specific direction changes, so there is a problem in that it is very difficult to manufacture a light sensor that accurately matches the angle specificity of light sensitivity for a required specific direction. In addition, as examined above, a conventional light sensor satisfies the angle specificity of light sensitivity by means of a lens having a specific shape, so there is a problem that the shape of the lens must change if the required angle specificity of light sensitivity changes. That is, there is a problem that the three-dimensional shape of the lens itself must change if the required angle specificity of light sensitivity changes.

[0096] Meanwhile, as described above, the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention has a configuration that calculates the horizontal and vertical components of the angle of incident light, i.e., the receiving angle, based on the difference in the amount of light irradiated to each of a plurality of light sensors forming an array, and applies a preset compensation value corresponding to the calculated horizontal component (horizontal angle) and vertical component (vertical angle) according to the specific light sensitivity angle singularity of a required specific direction, thereby attenuating or amplifying the amount of light detected by each of the plurality of light sensors. Accordingly, the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage that a lens having a specific three-dimensional shape is not required.

[0097] Accordingly, referring to FIG. 8 (a) and (b), which illustrate a cross-section of an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may have a structure such that light transmitted through a cover glass (20) without a lens is incident on the light sensor array (800).

[0098] In addition, the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may utilize a hole formed in a back cover (40) that overlaps the bottom of the display panel (30) of the device as an aperture. In this case, the back cover (40) has a shape having a simple flat surface, and the back cover hole is formed to have a diameter capable of covering the light sensor array (800). Therefore, unlike the aperture of a conventional illuminance sensor, it does not have a specific three-dimensional shape and has the advantage of being easier to manufacture than an aperture hole that must be formed finely. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, by utilizing the hole formed in the back cover (40) that is positioned to support the display panel (30) as an aperture hole, there is an advantage that a separate aperture part is not required. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8, the illuminance sensor is configured without a lens part (710) and an aperture part (720), so the structure is simple and there is an advantage that a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the lens part (710) and the aperture part (720) is not required.

[0099] Furthermore, as described above, the present invention enables an illuminance sensor to possess angular specificity of light sensitivity for a specific direction based on a compensation value pre-calculated to have a specific light sensitivity based on a difference in light intensity in the horizontal or vertical direction. Accordingly, by adjusting the light intensity to be attenuated or amplified according to the compensation value, accurate light sensitivity for a specific light reception angle can be formed through the compensation value. In other words, there is an advantage in being able to create an illuminance sensor that accurately corresponds to the required angular specificity of light sensitivity for a specific direction. Moreover, since the present invention forms the angular specificity of light sensitivity based on compensation values ​​applied differently to different light reception angles without changing the physical configuration, there is an advantage in being able to change the angular specificity of light sensitivity formed by changing the compensation value. That is, there is an advantage in being able to create illuminance sensors that correspond to any number of different angular specificities of light sensitivity by simply changing the compensation value on an illuminance sensor having the same structure.

[0100] In addition, the present invention can adjust the maximum and minimum range of light reception angles based on the size of the hole on the back cover (40) which acts as an aperture and the air gap formed between the back cover (40) and the light sensor array (110).

[0101] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the range of an acceptable angle of light is varied by an air gap formed between a display back cover with a hole formed in the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention and a light sensor array.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 9(a), the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrates an example in which light passing through a cover glass (20) passes through a hole in a back cover (40) laminated on the lower part, i.e., the back surface, of a display panel (30) and is incident on a light sensor array (800). In this case, the angle of incidence of the light, i.e., the angle of reception, the size of the back cover hole functioning as an aperture hole, and the air gap may have a relationship as shown in Equation 1 below.

[0103]

[0104] Here, the hole diameter of the back cover (40) is proportional to the size of the active area of ​​the light sensor array (800), that is, the area where the light sensors can detect light, and has a fixed value, so the light reception angle can be calculated differently depending on the size of the air gap. In this case, the smaller the size of the air gap, the wider the range of light reception angles that can be received. On the other hand, the larger the size of the air gap, the narrower the range of light reception angles that can be received.

[0105] FIG. 9(b) illustrates different ranges of light reception angles depending on the size of the air gap. Among the light reception angle ranges shown in FIG. 9(b), the first light reception angle range (900) having the largest air gap can have a light reception angle ranging from -45 degrees to +45 degrees. On the other hand, when the air gap is reduced, a second light reception angle range (910) can be formed with a light reception angle ranging from -60 degrees to +60 degrees. Additionally, when the air gap is reduced, a third light reception angle range (920) can be formed with a light reception angle ranging from -70 degrees to +70 degrees. And when the air gap is at its minimum, a fourth light reception angle range (930) can be formed with a light reception angle ranging from -80 degrees to +80 degrees. That is, the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention can determine the range of the minimum and maximum light reception angles by adjusting the size of the air gap.

[0106] Meanwhile, the description of FIG. 1 above describes an example in which a hole is formed in the display panel (30) depending on the size of the back cover hole (10). However, it goes without saying that if the display panel is formed as a transparent display panel, a hole may not be formed in the display panel.

[0107] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the structure of an illuminance sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention in which a hole is covered by a transparent display panel.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 10, a device equipped with an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may be equipped with a transparent display panel (1000). In this case, since light can be transmitted through the transparent display panel (1000), light that has passed through the cover glass (20) can pass through the transparent display panel (1000) and be incident on the hole (10) of the back cover (40) that is covered by the transparent display panel (1000). Then, the light incident through the back cover hole (10) can be incident on the light sensor array (110), and each light sensor of the light sensor array (110) can detect the amount of light of the incident light.

[0109] Meanwhile, although specific embodiments have been described in the above description of the present invention, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the present invention has been described using the example of a case where an illuminance sensor is laminated on the back surface of a display panel, and the hole formed in the back cover supporting the display panel is used as an aperture hole; however, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, it goes without saying that the illuminance sensor of the present invention may not be laminated on the back surface of the display panel.

[0110] In this case, the illuminance sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention may be disposed on the rear surface of the exterior of a device equipped with the illuminance sensor. Furthermore, a hole proportional to the size of the active area of ​​the light sensor array of the illuminance sensor may be formed on the exterior of the device equipped with the illuminance sensor at a position that overlaps with the active area of ​​the light sensor array. Additionally, the hole formed on the exterior of the device may be covered with a material having a light transmittance of a certain level or higher, thereby preventing foreign substances from entering the interior of the device through the hole. That is, the hole formed on the exterior of the device may also serve as a hole in the back cover.

[0111] Meanwhile, according to the above description, it has been mentioned that different compensation values ​​for compensating the amount of light detected by the light sensor array (110) can be stored in the memory (120) for each of the different light receiving angles. However, it is practically difficult to store compensation values ​​corresponding to all light receiving angles, and accordingly, compensation values ​​corresponding to the light receiving angle corresponding to the difference in amount of light calculated by the control unit (100) may not be stored in the memory (120).

[0112] In this case, if the compensation value corresponding to the calculated light receiving angle is not stored in the memory (120), the control unit (100) of the illuminance sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention described above may detect a compensation value corresponding to any one of the light receiving angles closest to the calculated light receiving angle as the compensation value corresponding to the currently calculated light receiving angle.

[0113] Alternatively, the control unit (100) may further detect at least one adjacent receiving angle that is greater or smaller than the calculated receiving angle, and detect an intermediate value calculated based on the difference between the detected at least one adjacent receiving angle and the calculated receiving angle as a compensation value corresponding to the currently calculated receiving angle. Alternatively, the control unit (100) may detect a first compensation value corresponding to a receiving angle greater than the currently calculated receiving angle and a second compensation value corresponding to a receiving angle smaller than the calculated receiving angle, calculate an intermediate value between the detected first compensation value and the second compensation value, and detect the calculated intermediate value as a compensation value corresponding to the currently calculated receiving angle.

[0114] The above-described invention can be implemented as computer-readable code on a medium on which a program is recorded. A computer-readable medium includes all types of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable media include HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Disk), SSD (Silicon Disk Drive), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc., and also include implementation in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet). Furthermore, the computer may include a control unit (100) of the illuminance sensor. Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects and should be considered exemplary. The scope of the invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A plurality of light sensors that receive light and form a light sensor array; and, Limit the amount of light detected by the light sensor array so that the amount of light detected for light incident in the front direction of the light sensor array is between 40% and 60% of a preset maximum value of light amount, and An illuminance sensor characterized by having a control unit that controls the amount of light detected by the light sensor array so that the amount of light detected for light incident from a side of the light sensor array at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees maintains at least 90% of a preset maximum value of light.

2. The above-mentioned illuminance sensor is, The device further comprises a memory in which a plurality of compensation values ​​corresponding to each of the different receiving angles in which the light is incident along a specific direction are stored. The above control unit is, An illuminance sensor characterized by calculating a light reception angle based on the difference in light intensity between at least one light sensor placed in a different row or column of the light sensor array, and adjusting the amount of light detected by the light sensor array by compensating the amount of light detected by the light sensor array with a compensation value corresponding to the calculated light reception angle.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above different light receiving angles are, It includes different first direction receiving angles along the horizontal direction in which the light is received, and different second direction receiving angles along the vertical direction in which the light is received, The above plurality of compensation values ​​are, An illuminance sensor characterized by having different values ​​depending on the direction in which the light is received and the angle of reception.

4. In paragraph 3, the control unit is, An illuminance sensor characterized by detecting a first direction receiving angle and a second direction receiving angle for light incident on the light sensor array based on a difference in light quantity between at least one light sensor placed in different rows or columns, and compensating the first direction light quantity and the second direction light quantity incident on the light sensor array with compensation values ​​corresponding to the detected first direction receiving angle and second direction receiving angle, respectively.

5. In paragraph 4, the control unit is, In the above light sensor array, the sum of the light amounts detected by each light sensor arranged in different columns is calculated, and the light receiving angle of the first direction is detected based on the difference between the sums of the light amounts calculated for each column. An illuminance sensor characterized by calculating the sum of light amounts detected by light sensors placed in different rows, and detecting the light reception angle of the second direction based on the difference between the sums of light amounts calculated for each row.

6. In paragraph 1, the control unit is, An illuminance sensor characterized by controlling the amount of light detected by the light sensor array such that, for light incident from a side angle of less than 30 degrees to the left or right from 0 degrees in the front direction of the light sensor array, the amount of light detected by the light sensor array gradually decreases according to the size of the light reception angle, so that a minimum value of light is detected when light is incident from the front direction of the light sensor array.

7. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned illuminance sensor is, It is positioned on the back of the back cover that supports the back of the display panel, and The above back cover is, An illuminance sensor characterized by having a back cover hole formed to allow light to be transmitted, which is proportional to the size of the active area of ​​the light sensor array and is formed at a position overlapping the light sensor array.

8. In Paragraph 7, An illuminance sensor characterized in that an air gap is formed between the back cover and the light sensor array, and the maximum and minimum light reception angles at which light can be received by the light sensor array are determined differently depending on the size of the air gap.

9. In paragraph 2, the control unit is, An illuminance sensor characterized by detecting a compensation value corresponding to another light-receiving angle closest to the calculated light-receiving angle as the compensation value corresponding to the calculated light-receiving angle when the compensation value corresponding to the calculated light-receiving angle is not in the memory.

10. In paragraph 2, the control unit is, An illuminance sensor characterized by detecting at least one adjacent receiving angle that is smaller or larger than the calculated receiving angle, and detecting an intermediate value calculated based on the difference between the detected at least one adjacent receiving angle and the calculated receiving angle as a compensation value corresponding to the calculated receiving angle.

11. A method for controlling an illuminance sensor comprising an optical sensor array formed of a plurality of optical sensors, A step of detecting light quantities from each of the plurality of light sensors; A step of calculating the sum of light amounts detected by light sensors placed in different columns and detecting a light reception angle of a first direction based on the difference in the sums of light amounts calculated for each row, and calculating the sum of light amounts detected by light sensors placed in different rows and detecting a light reception angle of a second direction based on the difference in the sums of light amounts calculated for each column; A step of detecting a light quantity compensation value of the first direction and a light quantity compensation value of the second direction, corresponding to the receiving angle of the first direction and the receiving angle of the second direction, respectively, from a plurality of light quantity compensation values ​​corresponding to each of the different receiving angles in which the light is incident along the first direction or the second direction; and, A method for controlling an illuminance sensor, characterized by including the step of adjusting the amount of light of the light sensor array for a specific light reception angle by compensating the amount of light in the first direction and the amount of light in the second direction detected from the light sensor array with a compensation value for the first direction and a compensation value for the second direction, respectively.

12. In Clause 11, the compensation value of the first direction is, A compensation value that limits the amount of light detected by the light sensor array such that the amount of light detected for light incident in the 0-degree direction, which is the front direction of the light sensor array, is between 40% and 60% of a preset maximum value of light amount, and A control method for an illuminance sensor characterized by including compensation values ​​such that, for light incident from a side of the light sensor array at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees, the amount of light detected by the light sensor array maintains at least 90% of a preset maximum value of light amount.

13. In Clause 12, the above-mentioned maximum light intensity value is, A control method for an illuminance sensor characterized by the amount of light detected by the light sensor array for light incident along a specific light reception angle of the first or second direction.

Images