Adaptive Illuminator Sequencing for Eyewear Display Heat Control
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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 restricts their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive illuminator sequencing system that adjusts illuminator duration and current based on ambient light and temperature conditions, using a microcontroller to manage spatial light modulators and current controllers, optimizing brightness while maintaining safe operating temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If current to illuminators is increased to boost brightness, then visibility is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by sequentially activating different illuminators in a cycling pattern rather than continuously operating all illuminators. The system alternates between different illuminators based on ambient light conditions, allowing each illuminator periodic rest intervals that prevent excessive heat accumulation while maintaining adequate overall brightness output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts illuminator operation based on real-time ambient light sensor feedback. The microcontroller modifies the duty cycle and sequencing pattern of illuminators according to changing environmental conditions, optimizing brightness output while adapting heat management strategies to current operational requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If current to illuminators is increased to improve visibility in high ambient light, then brightness is improved, but operational duration is limited due to thermal constraints
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic activation patterns where illuminators are cycled on and off in sequence rather than continuous operation, the system extends operational duration. Each illuminator receives periodic rest periods for thermal management while the overall system maintains illumination through sequential activation of multiple illuminators.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary thermal management by preemptively cycling illuminators before thermal damage occurs. The microcontroller monitors and controls illuminator duty cycles in advance to prevent thermal accumulation, ensuring sustained operational capability without waiting for thermal issues to manifest.
3Temperature
If active control loops are used to manage illuminator heat, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service thermal management where the microcontroller autonomously monitors ambient light conditions and automatically adjusts illuminator sequencing patterns without requiring external active control loops. The built-in ambient light sensor and microcontroller work together to self-regulate thermal conditions through intelligent illuminator cycling.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller serves as an intermediary between the ambient light sensor and illuminators, translating environmental conditions into appropriate illuminator activation patterns. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall control architecture by using a single microcontroller to coordinate thermal management rather than requiring separate active control loops for each illuminator.
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
Enhances visibility and reduces power consumption by effectively managing illuminator heat, avoiding the need for active control loops and extending operational time without thermal damage.
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.