Multi-Source Light Guide for Screen-Off Status Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Graphical user interfaces on computing devices become crowded and difficult to navigate due to increased functions, making it hard to locate features and access them, especially when the screen is locked.
Innovation Solution
Implement a light guide with multiple illumination sources controlled by an illumination controller to indicate operating parameters without powering on the display, using blended and unblended light to convey more information efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display screen is powered on to show status information, then the user can access device status, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information display function into two parts: critical status information is shown through the light guide (using illumination sources) while the main display screen remains off or shows simplified content. This segmentation allows status information to be accessible without powering on the full display, resolving the contradiction between information accessibility and power consumption.
2Loss of information
If multiple status parameters are indicated separately, then the information is clear and accessible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure serves multiple functions: it guides light from illumination sources, displays multiple status parameters simultaneously through different illumination patterns, and provides a unified visual interface. This multi-functionality allows the system to indicate multiple status parameters without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the light guide itself handles multiple display tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
A computing device includes an illumination controller configured to receive input from one or more sources. The input indicates one or more operating parameters of the computing device. Attributes for light emission are determined from at least two illumination sources of a light guide based on the input. The at least two illumination sources are controlled to illuminate the light guide to indicate the one or more operating parameters via an amount of the light guide that is illuminated. The light guide may be illuminated by blended light including light from each of the illumination sources to indicate an operating parameter that is different relative to operating parameters indicated by light emission from the individual illumination sources.