Image Sensor Proximity Detection via Blurriness Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional proximity sensors in devices like smartphones require additional space, increase the bill of materials cost, and consume more computing resources due to the need for separate sensors to detect proximity, which can be mitigated by using an image sensor to determine proximity based on image blurriness or sharpness.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an image sensor to analyze images and determine a metric indicating blurriness or sharpness, which is then used to calculate a measure of proximity, eliminating the need for a separate proximity sensor and reducing device size and computational resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional proximity sensors are used to detect proximity, then proximity detection function is achieved, but device size and bill of materials cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both image capture and proximity detection functions. The processor analyzes the captured image to determine proximity information, allowing a single sensor to serve dual purposes and eliminating the need for a separate proximity sensor, thereby reducing device size and component count
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the proximity detection function with the image sensor by integrating the proximity detection processor into the image processing pipeline. The same image sensor that captures images is also used to detect proximity through blurriness analysis, merging two previously separate functions into one integrated system
2Reliability
If conventional proximity sensors are used to detect proximity, then proximity detection function is achieved, but bill of materials cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is made multi-functional by enabling it to perform both image capture and proximity detection functions. The processor analyzes the captured image to determine proximity information, allowing a single sensor to serve dual purposes and eliminating the need for a separate proximity sensor, thereby reducing device size and component count
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the proximity detection function with the image sensor by integrating the proximity detection processor into the image processing pipeline. The same image sensor that captures images is also used to detect proximity through blurriness analysis, merging two previously separate functions into one integrated system
3Measurement precision
If separate proximity sensors are used, then proximity detection is accurate, but computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor serves itself by using its own output (captured images) to perform proximity detection. The processor leverages the image data already captured for other purposes to simultaneously determine proximity information, eliminating the need for separate sensing hardware and reducing overall computational burden
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to determining proximity based on image blurriness. In some aspects, a device may analyze an image sensed by an image sensor of the device. The device may determine a metric based on analyzing the image. The metric may provide an indication of a blurriness or a sharpness of the image. The device may determine, based on the metric, a measure of proximity associated with the image.