Ambient Light Sensor Proximity Detection Without OLED Blinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proximity sensors located behind OLED displays in mobile devices cause blinking artifacts due to IR light interaction, and existing solutions do not fully eliminate this issue, limiting device size, power efficiency, and production costs.
Innovation Solution
Utilize an ambient light sensor for proximity detection, eliminating the need for a separate proximity sensor and IR emitter, allowing for smaller device size, reduced power consumption, and lower production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proximity detection is implemented using existing sensors, then user proximity can be detected, but the sensors are not optimized for this purpose and consume excessive power
Solution Approach 1:
The ambient light sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: its primary function of measuring light intensity for display brightness control is enhanced to also serve as a proximity detection sensor. By utilizing the same hardware component for both lighting adaptation and proximity detection, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated proximity sensors, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ambient light sensor serves itself by using its inherent photodetector capability for both its original purpose (light intensity measurement) and the additional proximity detection function. The sensor leverages its own operational characteristics without requiring external assistance or additional specialized components, making the system more energy-efficient.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated proximity sensors are used, then proximity detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal ambient light sensor that performs both light intensity measurement and proximity detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated proximity sensors. This multi-functional approach reduces device complexity and component count while maintaining adequate detection precision through software-based differentiation of sensor responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the proximity detection function with the existing ambient light sensor, combining two detection functions into a single hardware component. This consolidation reduces the overall sensor system complexity and eliminates redundant components, while the distinction between light measurement and proximity detection is achieved through software processing of the sensor's electrical output.
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
Ambient light sensors effectively determine user proximity without blinking artifacts, enabling smaller device size, lower power consumption, and reduced production costs, applicable to OLED and other display types.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor includes a photodetector that generates an electrical signal in response to incident light
Data Source
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AI summary
One example provides a display device comprising a display panel, a touch sensor, an ambient light sensor, a processor, and storage. The storage comprises instructions executable by the processor to monitor an ambient light signal received from the ambient light sensor, detect, in combination with a call event, a threshold change in the ambient light signal that is indicative of the display device being proximate to a body of a user, and based at least on detecting the threshold change in the ambient light signal, modify an operation of the display device.