Flicker Measuring Device Using Photo Sensor and DMA Bus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring flicker from light sources are often inaccurate due to reliance on electrical properties, require stationary positioning, and can lose data due to processing time, failing to effectively quantify the quality of light emitted.
Innovation Solution
A flicker measuring device using a dedicated photo sensor, gain-controlled amplifier, and processor with DMA bus for rapid data transfer to low-latency RAM, combined with an accelerometer to account for movements, providing precise and repeatable flicker measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing devices measure flicker based on electrical properties, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical property measurement with optical property measurement using a photo sensor. The photo sensor directly detects light intensity variations from the light source, substituting the indirect electrical measurement method with a direct optical measurement method, thereby improving accuracy while accepting increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a photo sensor as an intermediary device between the light source and the measurement system. This intermediary converts optical signals into electrical signals that can be processed, enabling accurate flicker measurement through intermediate conversion rather than direct electrical property measurement
2Productivity
If data processing is performed sequentially, then the device complexity is low, but data loss occurs due to processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing function into two independent parts: a DMA bus handles rapid data transfer from the photo sensor to memory, while the processor handles data analysis. This segmentation allows parallel operation, eliminating the bottleneck of sequential processing and preventing data loss without requiring a completely complex processor structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a DMA bus as an intermediary data transfer mechanism between the photo sensor and the processor. This intermediary handles the high-speed data transfer task, freeing the processor to focus on analysis and enabling parallel operation that increases productivity without overwhelming the processor
3Measurement precision
If the device remains stationary during measurement, then the measurement setup is simple, but the device cannot account for movement effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds an accelerometer to the measurement device, enabling it to perform multiple functions: both flicker measurement and movement detection. This multi-functionality allows the device to operate accurately whether stationary or moving, improving measurement precision without significantly complicating ease of operation since the accelerometer operates autonomously
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
The device accurately measures flicker by focusing on light properties rather than electrical properties, ensuring high precision and reliability in quantifying light quality while accounting for device movements, thus improving measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a photo sensor that detects a light property of the light source and generates a signal
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for measuring an amount of flicker produced by a light source. In one embodiment, a flicker measuring device includes a photo sensor to measure the amount of light produced by the light source, a dedicated processor to receive and process data from the photo sensor, a memory bus coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and to a first memory, and a direct memory access (DMA) bus coupled to the ADC and to a second memory. In another embodiment, a flicker measuring system uses a light sensor, an associated circuit and a portable computing device (PCD), such as a smart phone, to measure an amount of flicker produced by a light source by sending an electrical signal from the light source and associated circuit via an audio output to an audio sub-system of the PCD, so that the PCD may calculate the flicker value.