Display-Screen Illumination for Ambient Light Object Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices struggle to accurately detect objects and gestures in the vicinity of display screens without requiring additional sensors like cameras or touch-sensitive capabilities, especially in conditions where traditional input methods are difficult or impossible.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing ambient light sensors to analyze light reflections from display screen emissions, employing patterned light emissions and AI models to detect objects and gestures by analyzing changes in light patterns and phase delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors like cameras or touch-sensitive capabilities are used to detect objects and gestures, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing display screen and ambient light sensor perform multiple functions: the display screen serves both as a visual output device and as an illumination source for object detection, while the ambient light sensor simultaneously measures ambient light levels and detects reflected light patterns from objects and gestures. This eliminates the need for dedicated cameras or touch-sensitive sensors, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own display screen emission as the illumination source for detection, rather than requiring separate illumination devices or sensors. The display screen illuminates the objects themselves, and the ambient light sensor detects the reflected light, allowing the device to serve its own detection needs using existing components
2Reliability
If traditional input methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability deteriorates in conditions where touch-sensitive input is difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light reflection patterns as an intermediary medium between the user and the device. Instead of requiring direct touch contact, the system detects gestures through the light reflected from objects (including hands) in proximity to the display. This intermediary approach maintains ease of operation for normal use while enabling reliable detection in conditions where touch is difficult or impossible
3Device complexity
If ambient light sensors are used for both ambient light measurement and object detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate due to signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light measurement into distinct components: ambient light measurement and reflected light detection. By analyzing the temporal and spatial characteristics of light reflections, the system can separate the signal from object detection from the ambient light background, maintaining measurement precision while using a single sensor type
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic display screen emissions at specific refresh rates to create periodic illumination patterns. By synchronizing the ambient light sensor measurements with these periodic emissions and analyzing the temporal patterns of reflected light, the system can distinguish between ambient light changes and object-induced reflections, maintaining precision while reducing device complexity
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
Enables reliable object and gesture detection without additional sensors, providing an alternative interaction modality that works in various conditions, including when touch-sensitive input is challenging.
Implementation Method 1
A display screen emits light in order to illuminate content displayed on the screen
Implementation Method 2
detecting, by an ambient light sensor, light received by the ambient light sensor while the display screen is emitting light
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes emitting light by a display screen of an electronic device; detecting, by an ambient light sensor, light received by the ambient light sensor while the display screen is emitting light; and determining, based on the emitted light and on the light detected by the ambient light sensor, whether an object is present in the vicinity of the display screen.