Display Brightness Control Using Multi-Sensor Light Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computing devices face challenges in adjusting display brightness accurately in environments with non-uniform lighting, where different areas have varying light intensities, leading to a negative user experience due to inconsistent lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses multiple ambient light sensors and a time of flight sensor to detect light differences across various areas, allowing the computing device to adjust the display brightness by selecting the appropriate sensor based on the angle and light intensity, thereby optimizing the visual experience in diverse lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single ambient light sensor is used to control display brightness, then the device structure remains simple, but the brightness adjustment becomes inaccurate in non-uniform lighting environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single light sensing function into multiple spatially distributed ambient light sensors positioned at different locations on the display device. Each sensor measures light intensity in its specific region, enabling the system to detect non-uniform lighting conditions and select the most appropriate measurement for brightness control, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring a single complex sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple ambient light sensors with a time of flight sensor and control circuitry into an integrated system. The control circuitry merges the data from multiple light sensors and selectively applies the most relevant measurement based on device orientation and lighting conditions, achieving accurate brightness control while managing system complexity through coordinated integration.
2Measurement precision
If multiple ambient light sensors are deployed to detect non-uniform lighting, then the brightness control accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sensor selection where the control circuitry continuously monitors device orientation (via accelerometers or gyroscopes) and ambient lighting conditions to dynamically determine which ambient light sensor provides the most accurate representation of the user's viewing environment. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to use multiple sensors effectively without permanently increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry acts as an intermediary that receives data from multiple ambient light sensors and a time of flight sensor, processes this information, and selectively activates the most appropriate sensor based on current conditions. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of having multiple sensors by intelligently coordinating their use rather than processing all sensor data simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the display brightness is adjusted based on ambient light sensor data, then the visual experience improves, but light blocking by objects or users causes inaccurate brightness control
Solution Approach 1:
The time of flight sensor acts as an intermediary that detects the presence and position of objects or users near the display. By measuring the time for light to travel to and from the object, the system can determine whether an object is blocking the ambient light sensors' view. This information is used to selectively disregard blocked sensor readings and rely on unblocked sensors, maintaining reliable brightness control even in the presence of obstructing objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection using the time of flight sensor to identify potential light blocking before making brightness adjustments. By detecting object presence and position in advance, the system can preemptively select ambient light sensors that are not blocked, preventing inaccurate brightness control rather than correcting it after the fact.
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 solution effectively adjusts the display brightness to match the surrounding light environment, enhancing user experience by accurately accounting for non-uniform lighting conditions and preventing light blocking by objects or users.
Implementation Method 1
a first ambient light sensor coupled to the display device to determine a first quantity of light in a first area of the display device and a second ambient light sensor coupled to an input device to determine a second quantity of light in a second area of the input device
Implementation Method 2
determine whether an object is within a threshold distance of the first ambient light sensor and the second ambient light sensor based on a time of flight sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, the disclosure describes a device that includes a first light sensor to determine a first quantity of light at a first location; a second light sensor to determine a second quantity of light at a second location; a display device to display images; a processor; and a non-transitory memory resource storing machine-readable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause the processor to: determine when a difference between the first quantity of light and the second quantity of light device exceeds a threshold quantity, select a light sensor from the first light sensor and the second light sensor based on the first quantity of light received by the first light sensor and the second quantity of light received by the second light sensor, and alter a brightness of the display device based on the selected light sensor.