Distance-Gated Optical Motion Sensing for Power Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motion sensing technologies in portable electronic devices face challenges with distance detection, leading to inconvenient manipulation and high power consumption due to poor sensing results at extreme distances and deviations at optimal distances, as well as continuous operation wastage.

Innovation Solution

A motion sensing method and apparatus that utilize a distance detection circuit to determine whether to perform optical motion sensing based on distance detection results, selectively activating or deactivating the sensing operation to maintain optimal performance and conserve power by using a receiving circuit and a motion sensing circuit to assess the distance between the device and the object, allowing only valid distance range operations to proceed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If optical motion sensing is performed continuously to detect user gestures, then the convenience of manipulation is improved, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of manipulationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using a distance detection circuit to first determine the distance between the portable electronic device and the user before activating the optical motion sensing circuit. This preliminary distance assessment allows the system to anticipate whether motion sensing is needed, avoiding unnecessary continuous operation and reducing power consumption while maintaining convenience when the user is within the optimal sensing range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If optical motion sensing is performed when the user is too far away, then the sensing coverage is expanded, but sensing accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing coverage areaVSAvoidsensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses preliminary distance detection to assess whether the user is within the optimal sensing range before activating motion sensing. This ensures that motion sensing is only performed when the user is at an appropriate distance, maintaining high sensing accuracy while still providing broad coverage capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter by selectively activating or deactivating the optical motion sensing circuit based on the detected distance. When the user is too far away, the system deactivates motion sensing to avoid inaccurate readings, while activating it when the user is within the optimal range, thus maintaining both coverage and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If optical motion sensing is performed when the user is too close to the device, then the sensing responsiveness is improved, but sensing result deviation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing responsivenessVSAvoidsensing result accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary distance assessment before activating motion sensing. When the user is detected to be too close to the device, the system deactivates motion sensing to prevent inaccurate readings, while maintaining responsiveness capability when the user is at an appropriate distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational state of the motion sensing circuit based on distance parameters. By deactivating motion sensing when the user is too close and activating it when the user is at an optimal distance, the system maintains both responsiveness and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Speed

If distance detection is performed continuously to monitor user position, then the responsiveness to user movement is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponsiveness to user movementVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by having the distance detection circuit periodically monitor user distance rather than continuously operating the optical motion sensing circuit. This allows the system to maintain responsiveness to user movement while significantly reducing power consumption by only activating motion sensing when the user is within the optimal sensing range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8873069B2Motion sensing method for determining whether to perform motion sensing according to distance detection result and related apparatus thereof

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A motion sensing method for an object includes: receiving a distance detection result which is used for indicating distance detection information of the object in a neighborhood of a motion sensing apparatus; and determining whether to perform optical motion sensing upon the object of the neighborhood according to the distance detection result.