Optical Element Detection Line for Laser Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D sensing technologies in electronic terminal devices, such as mobile phones, face issues with laser light leakage due to damage or detachment of optical elements like diffractive optical elements or diffusers, which can cause eye injuries, and current monitoring systems are complex and costly.

Innovation Solution

A simple and cost-effective optical element monitoring system using a detection line on the optical element, connected to a microprocessor, which monitors resistance or voltage values to detect damage or detachment, and automatically turns off the laser to prevent eye injuries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex monitoring system with multiple transparent conductive thin films is used to monitor optical element integrity, then the safety monitoring function is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety monitoring functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the monitoring function from a complex multi-film system and implements it through a single transparent conductive thin film with an integrated detection line. This simplifies the structure while maintaining the safety monitoring capability by directly detecting changes in the optical element's integrity through the detection line's electrical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection line serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural component of the optical element and a sensing element for monitoring integrity. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent reduces the number of separate elements needed while maintaining comprehensive safety monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple transparent conductive thin films are attached to monitor optical element integrity, then the safety monitoring capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegrity monitoring capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces manufacturing cost by extracting the monitoring function to a single transparent conductive thin film with detection line, eliminating the need for multiple separate films and their associated attachment processes. This single-film approach maintains monitoring capability while significantly simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the monitoring function with the optical element structure itself by integrating the detection line into the transparent conductive thin film. This merging eliminates the need for separate monitoring components and reduces overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If a detection line with transparent conductive material is used, then the light emission is not shielded, but the detection line may still break causing false alarms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmittanceVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses transparent conductive materials that optimize the balance between electrical conductivity (for detection) and optical transparency (for light emission). By carefully selecting and tuning the material properties, the detection line maintains sufficient conductivity for reliable breakage detection while minimizing light shielding to prevent false readings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Effectively prevents eye injuries by reliably detecting damage or detachment of optical elements and shutting off the laser, while maintaining a straightforward structure and low manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The microprocessor is used to monitor a resistance value of the detection line or a voltage value at the two ends of the detection line in real time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

When the resistance value of the detection line or the voltage value at the two ends of the detection line changes abnormally

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOhm's Law: Ohm's Law

Data Source

PatentEP3848850B1Optical element and monitoring system and method therefor, active light emitting module, and terminal
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3848850B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3848850B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3848850B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a

AI summary

The invention provides an optical element, an optical element monitoring system and method, an active light emitting module, and a terminal, and relates to the field of electronic terminal device technologies. The invention can monitor in real time whether an optical element such as a diffractive optical element or a diffuser in the active light emitting module is damaged or falls off, and turn off a laser when the optical element is damaged or falls off, thereby avoiding laser light leakage. The optical element monitoring system includes an optical element (11), and a microprocessor (13), a power supply (2), and a laser (12) that are sequentially connected. A detection line (11-1) is disposed on the optical element (11), and two ends of the detection line (11-1) are connected to the microprocessor (13). The microprocessor (13) is configured to: monitor a resistance value of the detection line (11-1) or a voltage value at the two ends of the detection line (11-1) in real time, determine, based on the monitored resistance value or voltage value, whether the optical element (11) is damaged or falls off, and control, when determining that the optical element (11) is damaged or falls off, the power supply (2) to stop supplying power to the laser (12).