Foldable Display Brightness Control Using Folding-State Light Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with flexible displays face challenges in efficiently adjusting display brightness based on external light conditions across different folding states, as existing illumination sensors struggle to accurately measure light intensity in varying configurations.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a foldable housing with illumination sensors on each housing section and a hall sensor to detect the angle between sections, allowing it to measure light intensity in both unfolded and folded states, and adjust display brightness accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single illumination sensor is used in foldable devices, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accurately measure light intensity in all folding configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The single illumination sensor is designed to perform multiple functions by detecting light intensity in different folding configurations (fully unfolded, partially folded, fully folded states). The sensor's data is processed differently depending on the detected folding state, allowing one sensor to replace what would traditionally require multiple sensors for different surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interpretation parameters of illumination sensor data based on folding state. By detecting the folding configuration and adjusting how the illumination data is processed and applied to different displays, the system maintains measurement accuracy across all states without adding physical sensors.
2Measurement precision
If illumination sensors are placed on each housing section, then measurement precision improves for different folding states, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the folding state detection function from the illumination sensing system by using a separate folding state detection mechanism. This allows the illumination sensor to be positioned optimally (e.g., on the first housing) while the folding state detector handles configuration identification, separating these two functions to avoid complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A folding state detection result serves as an intermediary that connects the illumination sensor data to the appropriate display brightness control. The folding state detector mediates between the single illumination sensor and the multiple displays, determining how the illumination data should be interpreted and applied based on current device configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If brightness control is independently optimized for each display, then adaptability improves across folding states, but device complexity increases due to multiple control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the brightness control logic into a unified system that receives folding state information and illumination data, then generates coordinated brightness commands for both displays. Instead of separate control systems for each display, a single control mechanism adapts its behavior based on the detected folding state, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining adaptability.
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 solution enables precise control of display brightness based on real-time light conditions, enhancing user experience by maintaining optimal visibility across different device configurations.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a first illumination value corresponding to light received from outside of the electronic device using the illumination sensor
Implementation Method 2
a hall sensor for identifying an angle between the first housing and the second housing
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, instructions, when executed by a processor of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to obtain a first illumination value corresponding to light received from outside of the electronic device using an illumination sensor while a foldable housing is in an unfolded state. The instructions executed by the processor cause the electronic device to obtain a second illumination value corresponding to light received from the outside of the electronic device using the illumination sensor while the foldable housing is in the folded state. The instructions executed by the processor cause the electronic device to, while the foldable housing is in the folded state, control brightness of the second display based on the second illumination value obtained from the illumination sensor located at a same side as a first display.