Indoor-Outdoor Detection via Ambient Light Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in accurately detecting whether they are indoors or outdoors due to the imprecision of GPS location determination and the high power consumption of location determination components, as well as variations in magnetic field and wireless signal measurements.
Innovation Solution
The use of ambient light sensors to detect light intensity and process spectral energy data to determine indoor or outdoor environments, combined with data from proximity, accelerometer, gyro, and magnetometer sensors to enhance detection accuracy and trigger location-based services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS location determination is used for indoor-outdoor detection, then detection capability is provided, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the indoor-outdoor detection function from GPS and location determination components, implementing it instead through ambient light sensors that continuously measure light intensity without requiring additional power-intensive location services. This separation allows the device to detect indoor environments using only the light sensor's ambient light measurements, eliminating the need to keep GPS or location determination components active.
2Measurement precision
If location determination components are always on for accurate detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ambient light sensor performs self-service detection by continuously measuring ambient light intensity without requiring activation of other location determination components. The sensor independently provides sufficient data for indoor-outdoor detection, eliminating the need for GPS or magnetic field measurements to be always-on, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy.
3Reliability
If magnetic field and wireless signal measurements are used for detection, then detection capability is provided, but measurement variations reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic field and wireless signal measurement systems with an optical measurement system using ambient light sensors. This substitution eliminates the measurement variations and inconsistencies associated with magnetic fields and wireless signals, as light intensity provides stable, reliable, and consistent measurements for indoor-outdoor detection without being affected by environmental interference.
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 method allows for accurate indoor-outdoor detection with reduced power consumption, enabling timely triggering of location-based services such as home automation and patient care systems without relying on always-on GPS or magnetic field measurements.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, from an ambient light sensor in the electronic device, light intensity data
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for indoor-outdoor detection. One example computer-implemented method for indoor-outdoor detection by an electronic device includes receiving, from an ambient light sensor in the electronic device, light intensity data. The electronic device determines an indoor-outdoor feature indicator based on the light intensity data. The electronic device determines whether the electronic device is in an indoor environment or an outdoor environment based on the indoor-outdoor feature indicator.