Distance Sensor Face Orientation Control for Stable Brightness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing face orientation determination methods using distance measuring sensors face challenges in maintaining control stability and accuracy, particularly at long distances, leading to unstable screen brightness adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that uses a distance measuring sensor to determine face orientation within a short range, maintaining determination results when a person moves in and out of detectable ranges, and adjusting screen brightness based on these determinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If face orientation is determined using distance measuring sensor at long distance, then person detection range is extended, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors in distance measurement values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection rangeVSAvoidface orientation determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection range is divided into two segments: a first distance range where face orientation can be determined with acceptable precision, and a second distance range (longer distance) where only person detection is performed. This segmentation allows the system to extend overall detection range while maintaining orientation determination accuracy in the closer range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different processing qualities are applied to different distance ranges: full face orientation determination processing is applied locally in the first distance range, while a simplified person detection is applied in the second distance range. This local quality approach optimizes resource usage and maintains accuracy where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If face orientation determination is performed continuously in the first distance range, then orientation accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveface orientation determination accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous face orientation determination, the system performs determination periodically or conditionally - only when a person is detected in the first distance range. When a person moves to the second distance range, orientation determination stops and only person detection continues. This periodic action significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial face orientation determination processing - using simplified calculations based on distance measurement values rather than full image recognition processing. This partial action approach reduces computational load and power consumption while still providing sufficient orientation information for control purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If face orientation is fixed by assuming forward facing when person is in second distance range, then processing is simplified, but control stability deteriorates near the boundary of distance ranges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary face orientation determination when the person is first detected in the first distance range, storing this orientation information. When the person moves to the second distance range, this preliminarily determined orientation is maintained rather than immediately switching to fixed forward-facing assumption. This preliminary action provides a buffer that maintains stability during transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the person's distance and dynamically adjusts the determination strategy based on real-time feedback. When the person is near the boundary between distance ranges, the system uses the most recently determined orientation information, creating a feedback mechanism that prevents abrupt changes and maintains control stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Stabilizes control by maintaining face orientation determinations and adjusting screen brightness effectively, reducing power consumption and enhancing user interaction responsiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a distance measuring sensor for measuring a distance to an object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4610948A1Information processing apparatus and control method
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP4610948A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4610948A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4610948A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention is to improve control stability using a distance measuring sensor. An information processing apparatus performs person detection processing to detect a person present within a first distance range using a distance measuring sensor for measuring the distance to an object, and face direction determination processing to determine a face orientation of the person when the person is detected within the first distance range by the person detection processing. In the face direction determination processing, when the person detected by the person detection processing is within a second distance range closer than the first distance range, the information processing apparatus determines a face orientation of the person using the distance measuring sensor, when the person detected by the person detection processing moves from within the second distance range into a range out of the second distance range, the processor maintains the determination result of the face orientation determined within the second distance range, and when a person is detected in the range out of the second distance range within the first distance range from a state where no person is detected within the first distance range by the person detection processing, the processor fixes the determination result to a preset face orientation.