Display Screen Proximity Control Using Infrared and Ultrasonic Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing proximity detection methods in electronic devices, such as infrared light proximity sensors, suffer from inaccuracies and high power consumption, particularly during phone calls and instant messaging, leading to incorrect display control and unnecessary power usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual-proximity detection system combining infrared light and ultrasonic proximity detection, where ultrasonic detection is selectively enabled based on device state and audio device usage to improve accuracy and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If only infrared light proximity detection is used, then power consumption is reduced, but detection accuracy deteriorates leading to incorrect display control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the proximity detection strategy based on the current use status of the electronic device. When audio devices (headphones, earphones, speakers) are in use, ultrasonic proximity detection is enabled to improve accuracy. When no audio device is connected, only infrared detection is used to save power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between accuracy and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameters (which detection methods to use) based on the device state. By monitoring whether audio devices are connected and determining the current use status, the system switches between different detection configurations: full dual-mode detection when audio devices are active, and infrared-only detection when they are not, thereby optimizing the balance between accuracy and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If ultrasonic proximity detection is always enabled, then detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously enabling ultrasonic proximity detection, the patent implements periodic activation based on specific triggers (connection of audio devices, initiation of calls, video playback). The ultrasonic detection is enabled only during these periodic intervals when it is actually needed, and disabled otherwise, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining accuracy when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection using infrared light to determine whether an external object is approaching before activating ultrasonic proximity detection. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for accurate detection only when necessary, avoiding continuous ultrasonic detection and its associated power consumption while still achieving high accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If dual proximity detection is used in all scenarios, then detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay control accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different detection qualities to different usage scenarios. In scenarios where audio devices are connected (calls, video playback), both infrared and ultrasonic detection are activated for high reliability. In other scenarios (normal display usage), only infrared detection is used with lower power consumption. This local differentiation of detection quality resolves the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the usage scenarios into distinct categories: scenarios requiring high reliability (audio device usage, calls, video playback) and scenarios where power saving is prioritized (normal usage). By segmenting the operation modes, the system can selectively activate dual detection only in segments where it is truly necessary, avoiding unnecessary power consumption in other segments while maintaining adequate reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 detection accuracy by integrating infrared and ultrasonic proximity sensors, reducing incorrect display control and minimizing power consumption by optimizing detection methods based on specific use scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

the electronic device performs infrared light proximity detection by using an infrared light proximity sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared light detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

the electronic device enables ultrasonic proximity detection, to detect whether an external object approaches or leaves the electronic device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave detection: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentEP4040274B1Electronic device and method for controlling display screen thereof
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4040274B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4040274B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4040274B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application relates to the field of electronic technologies, and discloses an electronic device and a display control method for the electronic device. In this application, the display control method applied to the electronic device includes: In response to a proximity detection trigger condition, the electronic device performs infrared light proximity detection by using an infrared light proximity sensor, and determines whether a current use status of the electronic device meets a condition for enabling ultrasonic proximity detection; and when the current use status meets the condition for enabling ultrasonic proximity detection, the electronic device enables ultrasonic proximity detection, to detect whether an external object approaches or leaves the electronic device. According to the display control method for the electronic device in this application, an infrared light proximity detection technology and an ultrasonic detection technology are used to control a display status of the electronic device, so that accuracy of detecting that the external object approaches or leaves the electronic device can be effectively improved, the display status of the electronic device can be controlled more accurately, and a quantity of times of incorrectly determining the display status can be reduced.