Dual-Modulator Illuminance Sensor for Flickering Light Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices equipped with illuminance sensors struggle to accurately detect ambient brightness when faced with flickering light sources, leading to incorrect display brightness settings, as the sensors may incorrectly determine surroundings as dark due to the overlap of display-off time with flickering light source off times.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual-modulator illuminance sensor system within the electronic device, where a first modulator and a second modulator operate simultaneously to measure illuminance values during different integration times, allowing the processor to differentiate between display brightness and ambient light, and adjust display settings accordingly based on determined flickering light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the integration time of the illuminance sensor is lengthened to measure ambient brightness when display-off time is prolonged, then the measurement precision of ambient brightness is improved, but the reliability of detection deteriorates because the sensor incorrectly detects flickering light sources as dark environments
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminance sensor is divided into multiple independent modulators (first modulator, second modulator, etc.), each with different integration times. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously perform measurements at multiple time scales, enabling distinction between flickering light sources and true ambient darkness through comparative analysis of the segmented measurement results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic illumination at different frequencies through multiple modulators operating at distinct integration times. By analyzing the periodic response patterns at these different time scales, the system can identify flickering characteristics and differentiate them from steady ambient light conditions, thus resolving the detection reliability issue.
2Ease of operation
If a short integration time is set for the illuminance sensor placed under the display, then the ease of operation is improved by avoiding display interference, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the display-off time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single integration time, the system segments the measurement function across multiple modulators with different integration times. The first modulator uses a short integration time to avoid display interference during display-on periods, while the second modulator uses a longer integration time to capture ambient brightness during display-off periods, combining both advantages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and combines results from multiple modulators based on current operating conditions. The processor analyzes results from modulators with different integration times and adaptively determines the appropriate ambient brightness value, optimizing measurement precision across varying display-off time conditions while maintaining ease of operation.
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
This approach prevents incorrect display brightness adjustments by accurately identifying flickering light sources and compensating for their impact, ensuring proper ambient light detection and display settings even in the presence of such light sources.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminance sensor including a first modulator obtaining a first signal for first illuminance values during a first integration time and a second modulator obtaining a second signal for second illuminance values during a second integration time
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include an illuminance sensor including a first modulator obtaining a first signal for first illuminance values during a first integration time and a second modulator obtaining a second signal for second illuminance values during a second integration time, and a processor. The processor may be configured to calculate the first illuminance values and the second illuminance values based on the first and second signals, determine that an ambient light source is a flickering light source based on the second illuminance values, if obtaining display parameter information associated with an image output through the display, compensate for the first illuminance values based on the display parameter information and adjust a brightness value of the display based on the compensated first illuminance values, and if failing to obtain the display parameter information, adjust the brightness value of the display based on the second illuminance values.