Camera Unit Illuminance Sensor Integration for Power Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices face challenges in minimizing current consumption while maintaining functionality, particularly when incorporating a separate illumination sensor, which increases size and power usage.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the function of an illumination sensor into a camera unit within the electronic device, allowing the data processing unit to detect and transmit pixel data to optimize current consumption by determining display brightness based on received illuminance data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate illumination sensor is provided, then the illuminance measurement function is achieved, but the device size and current consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination sensor functionality with the camera unit by integrating an illumination sensor array with the camera sensor array. The illumination sensor array shares the same pixel structure and readout circuitry as the camera, allowing both imaging and illuminance measurement functions to be performed through the same hardware component, thereby eliminating the need for a separate illumination sensor and reducing current consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The camera unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves both as an imaging device and as an illumination sensor. By utilizing the same sensor array for both camera imaging and ambient light detection, the system achieves multi-functionality, where the camera unit universally handles both visual capture and illuminance measurement tasks
2Reliability
If a separate illumination sensor is provided, then the illuminance measurement function is achieved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination sensor array is merged with the camera sensor array, sharing the same physical space and structural components. This integration eliminates the need for separate sensor modules and reduces the overall device footprint while maintaining both imaging and illuminance measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The camera unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves both as an imaging device and as an illumination sensor. By utilizing the same sensor array for both camera imaging and ambient light detection, the system achieves multi-functionality, where the camera unit universally handles both visual capture and illuminance measurement tasks
3Use of energy by moving object
If the camera unit functions as an illumination sensor, then current consumption is reduced, but the camera unit must remain active for display brightness adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the illuminance measurement function from the full camera imaging function. By using only the sensor array without activating the complete camera subsystem (including image processing, storage, and transmission components), the system performs illuminance measurement with minimal power consumption while keeping the camera unit in a low-power standby state
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial action by activating only the necessary sensor elements for illuminance detection rather than full camera operation. The sensor array is activated sufficiently to capture ambient light data for display brightness adjustment, but without engaging the complete camera processing pipeline, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the required functionality
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 integration reduces power consumption by allowing the camera unit to function as both a sensor and display adjuster, minimizing the need for additional hardware and optimizing power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a camera unit... first pixel data received from the camera unit... second pixel data received from the camera unit
Data Source
AI summary
According to various exemplary embodiments, an electronic device may include: a camera unit; a processor; and a data processing unit that is electrically connected to the camera unit and the processor, wherein the data processing unit may detect a first number of pixels corresponding to first illuminance data based on first pixel data received from the camera unit to transmit the first number of pixels to the camera unit, and may determine a brightness of a display corresponding to second illuminance data based on second pixel data received from the camera unit in which a sensor corresponding to the first number of pixels is turned on.