Adaptive Illuminator Sequencing for Brightness-Heat Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer electronics projectors face limitations in high ambient light environments due to increased heat generation from illuminators when boosting brightness, which affects their usefulness.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive illuminator sequencing system that adjusts illuminator duration and current based on ambient light and temperature conditions, using a microcontroller to optimize brightness and temperature management through a timing sequence that alternates illuminator activation to maintain visibility and reduce heat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the current to the illuminators is increased to boost brightness in high ambient light environments, then the visibility is improved, but the heat generation increases which limits the usefulness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing illuminator sequencing where illuminators are activated in alternating time slots rather than continuously. The microcontroller controller activates different illuminators (e.g., first illuminator in first time slot, second illuminator in second time slot) to create periodic on-off cycles. This allows each illuminator to rest and cool down periodically while maintaining overall system brightness, thereby resolving the contradiction between high brightness output and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illuminator activation dynamic and adaptive based on ambient light conditions. The microcontroller dynamically adjusts the sequencing pattern, duty cycle, and current allocation to illuminators based on real-time ambient light sensor feedback. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize brightness output while managing heat generation adaptively, rather than using fixed high-current operation.
2Illumination intensity
If the current to the illuminators is increased to improve visibility, then the brightness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing illuminator sequencing where illuminators are activated in alternating time slots rather than continuously. The microcontroller controller activates different illuminators (e.g., first illuminator in first time slot, second illuminator in second time slot) to create periodic on-off cycles. This allows each illuminator to rest and cool down periodically while maintaining overall system brightness, thereby resolving the contradiction between high brightness output and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illuminator activation dynamic and adaptive based on ambient light conditions. The microcontroller dynamically adjusts the sequencing pattern, duty cycle, and current allocation to illuminators based on real-time ambient light sensor feedback. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize brightness output while managing heat generation adaptively, rather than using fixed high-current operation.
3Illumination intensity
If continuous high current is supplied to maintain brightness in high ambient light, then visibility is maintained, but the operational time is limited due to heat constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing illuminator sequencing where illuminators are activated in alternating time slots rather than continuously. The microcontroller controller activates different illuminators (e.g., first illuminator in first time slot, second illuminator in second time slot) to create periodic on-off cycles. This allows each illuminator to rest and cool down periodically while maintaining overall system brightness, thereby resolving the contradiction between high brightness output and heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-planning and pre-sequencing multiple illuminators to alternate activation. The microcontroller is programmed with predetermined sequencing patterns that ensure proper thermal management before thermal issues arise. This proactive approach allows the system to maintain continuous operation by anticipating and preventing thermal overload conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains projector brightness and temperature within safe operating ranges, improving visibility and reducing power consumption without the need for active control loops, thus extending operational time.
Implementation Method 1
The projectors include illuminators such as LEDs to create light for displaying the images
Implementation Method 2
Increasing the current to the illuminators, however, causes the illuminators to generate heat
Data Source
AI summary
An eyewear device is disclosed including an illumination device including illumination sources, each illumination source including a first illuminator, a second illuminator, and a third illuminator, and a spatial light modulator coupled to the illumination device to control when each of the first, second, and third illuminators are on during an illumination frame. The spatial light modulator is adapted to turn on the first illuminator while the second and third illuminators are off, turn on the second illuminator while the first and third illuminators are off, turn on the third illuminator while the first and second illuminators are off during a third time period of the illumination frame, and turn on the first, second and third illuminators during a fourth time period. An illumination method is also disclosed.