Display Apparatus Sensor Fusion for Buttonless Input Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Display apparatuses require a button-type input device for user commands, which increases manufacturing costs, complexity, and the risk of loss, while existing remote controllers may not be easily integrated for touch-based input detection.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an illuminance sensor, infrared sensor, and impact sensor into the display apparatus to detect user inputs, allowing the controller to perform operations based on combinations of sensor outputs, eliminating the need for a button-type input device and enabling remote controller signal detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a button-type input device is provided in the display apparatus, then user input capability is ensured, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing sensors (illuminance sensor, infrared sensor, impact sensor) perform dual functions: their original functions (brightness detection, remote control reception, collision detection) plus new input device functions. By configuring the controller to recognize sensor output combinations as input commands, the sensors serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate button components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining user input capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the input device function with existing sensor components. Instead of having separate buttons and sensors, the controller combines signals from multiple sensors (e.g., illuminance sensor detecting hand coverage plus infrared sensor detecting body heat) to recognize user input intentions. This merging eliminates redundant components and simplifies the device structure while preserving input functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a button-type input device is provided in the display apparatus, then user input capability is ensured, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing sensors (illuminance sensor, infrared sensor, impact sensor) perform dual functions: their original functions (brightness detection, remote control reception, collision detection) plus new input device functions. By configuring the controller to recognize sensor output combinations as input commands, the sensors serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate button components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining user input capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the input device function with existing sensor components. Instead of having separate buttons and sensors, the controller combines signals from multiple sensors (e.g., illuminance sensor detecting hand coverage plus infrared sensor detecting body heat) to recognize user input intentions. This merging eliminates redundant components and simplifies the device structure while preserving input functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a button-type input device is provided in the display apparatus, then user input capability is ensured, but the risk of loss or damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser input capabilityVSAvoidrisk of loss or damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes existing sensors (illuminance sensor, infrared sensor, impact sensor) perform dual functions: their original functions (brightness detection, remote control reception, collision detection) plus new input device functions. By configuring the controller to recognize sensor output combinations as input commands, the sensors serve multiple purposes, eliminating the need for separate button components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining user input capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the input device function with existing sensor components. Instead of having separate buttons and sensors, the controller combines signals from multiple sensors (e.g., illuminance sensor detecting hand coverage plus infrared sensor detecting body heat) to recognize user input intentions. This merging eliminates redundant components and simplifies the device structure while preserving input functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 user input detection through touch and remote controller signals without a physical button, reducing manufacturing costs and improving usability by utilizing multiple sensors for integrated input handling.

Implementation Method 1

an illuminance sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The infrared sensor, based on receiving the infrared rays transmitted by the infrared transmitter that are reflected from an obstacle, detects the reflected infrared rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared Radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

control the infrared transmitter to transmit infrared rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared Radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3855405B1Display apparatus and method of controlling the same
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3855405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3855405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3855405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel, an illuminance sensor, an infrared sensor, and a controller configured to, based on an output of the illuminance sensor being less than or equal to a first reference value and an output of the infrared sensor being greater than or equal to a second reference value, perform an operation corresponding to a combination of the output of the illuminance sensor and the output of the infrared sensor.