Ambient Light Sensor Hand Wave Trigger for Stable Image Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image capture methods using camera-equipped devices, such as smartphones, often result in blurry images due to device movement caused by pressing buttons or touching the screen, which is undesirable for capturing sharp pictures.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing an ambient light sensor to trigger image capture by detecting changes in ambient light, allowing users to wave their hand over the sensor to block light and initiate picture-taking without physically touching the device, thereby maintaining stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user presses the image capture button or touches the screen to trigger image capturing, then the image capture function is activated, but device movement occurs resulting in blurry images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage capture triggeringVSAvoidimage sharpness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical interaction (pressing buttons or touching the screen) with an optical-based triggering mechanism. The ambient light sensor detects changes in light levels caused by hand waving motions, converting optical signals into trigger commands for image capture. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact that causes device movement while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ambient light sensor serves as an intermediary between the user's hand waving gesture and the camera trigger. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the sensor mediates the interaction by detecting light level changes and translating them into capture commands, thereby decoupling the triggering action from device movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If computational algorithms are used to reduce image blur, then some blur mitigation is achieved, but battery power is consumed and lost image data cannot be recovered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage sharpnessVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preventing device movement before image capture occurs. By using hand waving gestures to trigger capture, the system proactively avoids the shaking and movement that would occur with button pressing or screen touching. This preventive approach eliminates the need for post-capture blur compensation algorithms, conserving battery power and preserving complete image data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the ambient light sensor is used for both screen brightness adjustment and image capture triggering, then device functionality is enhanced, but light measurement accuracy for brightness control may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor multi-functionalityVSAvoidambient light measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by continuously monitoring ambient light levels for screen brightness adjustment before image capture is triggered. The ambient light sensor maintains its primary function of brightness control, and image capture triggering is added as a secondary function that leverages the same sensor data without interfering with the primary measurement purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method effectively reduces the likelihood of device movement during image capture, resulting in clearer and sharper images without the need for computationally intensive blur compensation algorithms, thus conserving battery power and ensuring stable image quality.

Implementation Method 1

an ambient light sensor, positioned near the front-facing screen, and electrically coupled to the controller. The ambient light sensor may, therefore, be put to a second use, namely to cause the camera to take the picture. To trigger image capturing, the user may wave their hand to block a portion of the ambient light sensed by the ambient light sensor.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10855912B2Capturing a stable image using an ambient light sensor-based trigger

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 STMICROELECTRONICS INT NV

AI summary

A method and apparatus for capturing stable images are disclosed. An ambient light sensor makes measurements of ambient light. A change in ambient light between two measurements is determined. If the change in ambient light measurements falls in a predefined range, then the change may be attributable to ambient light sensor being blocked by a user to trigger image capturing. Consequently, a camera is triggered to capture an image. Conversely, if the change in ambient light measurement is outside the range, image capturing is not triggered as the change may be attributable to other factors.