Hybrid Sensor Presence Detection for Computing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices inaccurately determine user presence due to long periods of inactivity, leading to inconsistent user experiences, as they rely solely on input from devices like keyboards and touch screens without considering other indicators of human presence.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hybrid ambient light sensor with reflective infrared proximity and presence detection, along with other sensors like orientation change sensors and touch input devices, to aggregate inputs and determine user presence with estimated probabilities and reliabilities, discarding unreliable inputs to ensure accurate presence detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the computing device relies solely on detecting input from input devices (keyboard, pointing device, touch screen), then the device can detect user presence through active input, but it wrongly determines user absence during long periods of inactivity even when the user is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection mechanisms including passive ambient light sensing, active infrared proximity sensing, and traditional input device detection into a unified presence detection system. This merging allows the system to detect user presence through multiple channels simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by ensuring that inactive users are not falsely identified as absent while maintaining accurate presence detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The ambient light sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both an ambient light sensor for display brightness adjustment and as an active infrared proximity sensor for presence detection. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware component to contribute to both user comfort (brightness adjustment) and accurate presence detection, thereby improving reliability without adding separate dedicated components.
2Extent of automation
If the computing device uses a timer based on input inactivity to determine user absence, then the device can automatically manage power states and lock-down access, but it provides inconsistent user experience when users engage in passive activities like reading or watching videos
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors multiple input sources including ambient light levels, infrared reflections, and traditional input device signals. This continuous feedback loop allows the system to dynamically adjust presence determination, maintaining accurate automatic power state management while avoiding false absence detections during passive user activities. The feedback from multiple sensors ensures that automation decisions are based on comprehensive real-time data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used for presence detection from solely input device activity to include physical proximity parameters detected by ambient light and infrared sensors. By incorporating these additional parameters, the system maintains automatic power state management while improving the accuracy of presence determination, as users cannot be present and inactive without triggering false absence detections.
3Measurement precision
If the computing device uses multiple sensors and inputs to determine user presence, then the accuracy of presence detection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ambient light sensor performs dual functions as both an ambient light sensor for display brightness control and an active infrared proximity sensor for presence detection. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated proximity sensors, while still achieving improved presence detection accuracy through the combination of multiple sensing capabilities in a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing input devices (keyboard, pointing device, touch screen) that are already part of the computing device for presence detection purposes. These devices serve their primary input functions while simultaneously providing presence detection data, thereby improving accuracy without requiring additional dedicated sensors or increasing overall device complexity.
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 provides a more accurate and consistent determination of user presence, enabling appropriate actions by the computing device, such as locking or unlocking, based on reliable indicators, thereby enhancing the user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the human presence sensor may include a hybrid ambient light sensor with reflective infrared proximity and presence detection
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and a computing device are disclosed. A computing device may aggregate a number of inputs indicative of a presence or an absence of a human being within a proximity of the computing device. A source of at least one of the inputs may be a human presence sensor. A source of other inputs may provide an indication of the presence of a human being with corresponding estimated probabilities or corresponding estimated reliabilities which may provide an estimate of an accuracy of respective indications. In some embodiments, if any of the number of inputs indicate the presence of a human being, the computing device may determine that a human being is present. In other embodiments, if a corresponding estimated probability or reliability of an input is less than a predetermined value, then the input may be discarded when determining whether a human being is present.