Illuminance Sensor Dual Counter Circuit for Flicker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current illuminance sensors struggle to detect flicker with high accuracy due to limitations in their design, leading to potential degradation in image quality during image capture and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed illuminance sensor includes a light receiving unit, two counter circuits for AD conversion, and separate storage units for flicker and illuminance signals, allowing for parallel processing and detection of flicker with a shorter cycle than illuminance measurement, enhancing accuracy and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single counter circuit is used for both illuminance measurement and flicker detection, then device complexity is reduced, but flicker detection accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient sampling frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the counter circuit into two separate counter circuits: a first counter circuit dedicated to flicker detection and a second counter circuit dedicated to illuminance measurement. This segmentation allows each counter to be optimized for its specific function, with the first counter operating at a higher sampling frequency suitable for detecting flicker components, while the second counter operates at a lower sampling frequency sufficient for illuminance measurement, thereby resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the light receiving unit continuously operates at high sampling frequency for flicker detection, then flicker detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sampling operations into two distinct pathways: the first counter circuit samples at a high frequency specifically for flicker detection components, while the second counter circuit samples at a lower frequency for illuminance measurement. This allows the system to achieve accurate flicker detection without requiring the entire light receiving unit to operate continuously at high sampling frequency, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic sampling with different frequencies for different measurement purposes. The first counter circuit performs periodic sampling at a higher frequency to capture flicker components, while the second counter circuit performs periodic sampling at a lower frequency for illuminance. This periodic action with differentiated frequencies enables accurate flicker detection while minimizing power consumption by avoiding continuous high-frequency operation of the entire system.
3Ease of operation
If the same sampling cycle is used for both illuminance and flicker measurements, then device operation is simplified, but flicker detection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement cycles into two independent operational pathways: the first counter circuit operates on a sampling cycle optimized for flicker detection (shorter period to capture high-frequency flicker components), while the second counter circuit operates on a sampling cycle optimized for illuminance measurement (longer period sufficient for slower-varying illuminance). This segmentation of measurement cycles ensures that flicker detection reliability is maintained through appropriate sampling frequency without requiring complex coordinated management of a single unified cycle.
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 configuration enables more reliable flicker detection with higher accuracy and reduced power consumption compared to existing technologies, improving image quality and extending battery life in electronic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving unit that receives the light and outputs an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminance sensor detects a flicker with higher accuracy than in the related art. The illuminance sensor includes: a light receiving unit that receives light and outputs a current; a flicker measurement counter circuit that performs AD conversion on the current and outputs a first digital signal to a flicker measurement storage device; an illuminance measurement counter circuit that performs AD conversion on the current and outputs a second digital signal to an illuminance measurement storage device; and a flicker detection unit that detects a flicker by analyzing the first digital signal stored in the flicker measurement storage device. A cycle during which the first digital signal is output from the flicker measurement counter circuit is shorter than a cycle during which the second digital signal is output from the illuminance measurement counter circuit.