IR Proximity Sensor for Facial Recognition in Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current facial recognition systems in electronic devices face challenges such as reduced accuracy due to variations in lighting conditions and pose, especially in mobile devices with limited component space, and require multiple components for effective operation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device incorporating an infrared (IR) proximity sensor with an IR emitter and sensor for both proximity sensing and facial recognition, along with a camera to capture images based on reflected IR illumination, and a controller for applying facial recognition, including 3D recognition using an IR pattern grid, which reduces the number of components and enhances accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple components are used for facial recognition (separate IR emitter, IR sensor, camera), then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the IR emitter and IR sensor into a single proximity sensor component, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining facial recognition functionality. The camera captures images illuminated by the IR emitter, and the controller processes both proximity data and facial images for authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The IR proximity sensor serves dual functions: it acts as both a proximity sensor for detecting user presence and as an illumination source for facial recognition imaging. This multi-functionality reduces component count while maintaining measurement precision for facial recognition.
2Device complexity
If 2D facial recognition is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to lighting variations and pose changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the lighting parameter by using infrared illumination instead of visible light. The IR emitter provides controlled infrared lighting that illuminates the user's face consistently regardless of ambient lighting conditions, thereby improving reliability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The IR emitter acts as an intermediary that provides controlled illumination to the user's face, enabling the camera to capture consistent facial images regardless of ambient lighting conditions. This intermediary lighting source improves reliability by eliminating the impact of varying environmental light.
3Measurement precision
If infrared illumination is used for facial recognition, then measurement precision is improved in varying lighting conditions, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IR emitter is activated periodically or on-demand when facial recognition is needed, rather than continuously. The controller activates the IR emitter to illuminate the user's face during authentication attempts, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when the feature is actually used.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary proximity detection using the IR sensor before activating the more energy-intensive facial recognition sequence. This preliminary action allows the system to determine whether facial recognition is even needed, reducing energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary IR illumination and image capture.
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 solution enables efficient and accurate facial recognition with reduced component usage, improving performance in varying lighting conditions and providing enhanced security with less user interaction, while being suitable for mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared (IR) proximity sensor including an IR emitter configured to emit IR illumination toward a user, and an IR sensor configured to sense reflected IR illumination from the user
Implementation Method 2
a camera configured to capture an image of the user's face based upon the reflected IR illumination
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a housing and at least one infrared (IR) proximity sensor carried by the housing. The at least one IR proximity sensor may include an IR emitter configured to emit IR illumination toward a user, and an IR sensor configured to sense reflected IR illumination from the user. The electronic device may also include a camera carried by the housing and configured to capture an image of the user's face based upon the reflected IR illumination. The electronic device may further include a controller configured to apply facial recognition to the captured image of the user's face based upon the reflected IR illumination.