Infrared Reflection Cover Detection for Power Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical lid detection mechanisms are ineffective for tablet-type devices without an integrated cover, hindering power savings in mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Infrared (IR) light reflection to detect the closure of a cover on IR touch devices, such as eReaders or tablets, by recognizing increased IR light levels when the cover is closed, allowing automatic switching to a power-saving mode without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical lid detection mechanisms are used, then power savings can be achieved in devices with integrated covers, but these mechanisms do not work for tablet type devices without integrated covers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical lid detection mechanisms with an optical detection system using infrared (IR) transmitters and receivers. The IR system detects the presence of a cover by measuring reflected IR light, enabling power savings functionality on tablet devices without integrated mechanical covers. This substitution allows the same power management capability to work across different device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The IR-based detection system serves multiple functions: it detects cover presence on tablets without integrated covers, can potentially detect cover closure on devices with covers, and maintains compatibility across different device form factors. This universal approach eliminates the limitation of mechanical mechanisms being device-specific.
2Ease of operation
If conventional time-out mechanisms are used for power savings, then devices can enter low-power mode after inactivity, but this approach consumes more power and lacks user convenience compared to immediate cover-closed detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors IR light reflection levels and provides immediate feedback when a cover is detected. When the IR receiver detects increased reflection indicating cover closure, the system instantly responds by triggering power savings mode, eliminating the delay inherent in time-out mechanisms and providing superior user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The IR detection system is continuously active and ready to detect cover closure at any moment, rather than waiting for a time-out period to elapse. This preliminary detection capability allows the system to immediately enter low-power mode when needed, reducing overall power consumption compared to reactive time-out mechanisms.
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 reduces power consumption by enabling quick and automatic entry into low-power mode when the cover is closed, improving energy efficiency and user convenience compared to conventional time-out mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
Infrared, IR, touch device such as an eReader or a tablet device. While the cover is in the open state, a certain amount of the light transmitted by the IR transmitters is directed upward and away from the IR receivers in the device. When the cover is closed, this light is reflected off of the cover and is incident on the IR receivers.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for improving power consumption by providing the ability to detect whether a cover is placed on top of Infrared, IR, touch device. While the cover is in the open state, a certain amount of the light transmitted by the IR transmitters is directed upward and away from the IR receivers in the device. When the cover is closed, this light is reflected off of the cover and is incident on the IR receivers. The system of the present invention recognizes this increased level of received IR light and determines that the cover is in a closed position. Having made such a determination that the cover is placed on the device, the device's power savings system can switch to an appropriate power saving mode.