Ambient Light Sensor Occlusion Detection Using Infrared Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wrist-worn devices struggle to accurately measure ambient light intensity due to the inability to detect occluding objects, which can lead to falsified exposure data and lack of user notification, affecting the reliability of light exposure analysis.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an occlusion detector, such as an infrared sensor and light source, to detect objects occluding the ambient light sensor, providing occlusion status information and user notifications to improve data reliability and allow countermeasures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an ambient light sensor is integrated into a wrist-worn device, then light exposure measurement is enabled, but occlusion by clothing or objects cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
An infrared sensor acts as an intermediary to detect occluding objects. The infrared sensor monitors the infrared radiation reflected from objects near the light sensor, providing indirect information about occlusion without interfering with the primary light measurement function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the infrared sensor's occlusion detection information to flag or invalidate ambient light measurements when occlusion is detected. This feedback mechanism allows the device to distinguish between genuine low light conditions and measurement errors caused by occlusion.
2Device complexity
If no occlusion detection is implemented, then device complexity is low, but user awareness of occluded state is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sensor serves multiple functions: it detects occluding objects, provides occlusion status information, and enables the device to differentiate between actual darkness and occlusion. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
3Reliability
If an infrared occlusion detector is added, then occlusion detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared sensor acts as an intermediary detection mechanism that indirectly senses occlusion through reflected infrared radiation from nearby objects, rather than directly detecting the occluding object itself. This approach adds minimal complexity while achieving reliable occlusion detection.
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 the reliability of ambient light intensity data by detecting occlusions and informing users, enabling more accurate analysis and user intervention to correct occlusions, thereby improving the overall measurement accuracy and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared light source... Infrared light reflected by a nearby object is detected by the infrared sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a light sensing device for sensing ambient light intensity, comprising at least one ambient light sensor and an occlusion detector for detecting an object occluding the ambient light sensor. The invention is further related to a corresponding method for sensing ambient light intensity.