Light Sequencing Circuitry for Glare-Reduced E-Reader Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination devices for electronic readers under low ambient light conditions are cumbersome, introduce glare, and have excessive power consumption, with limited user control over lighting, making them inefficient and battery-draining.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a user-friendly interface and light sequencing circuitry that allows users to control light sources according to their reading speed and style, using a plurality of light sources, a logic state machine, code generator, and timing circuitry to select sequencing modes and adjust timing intervals, coupled with a planar light guide structure to direct light efficiently over the display screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a retractable reading lamp is incorporated into the reader housing, then illumination of the display screen is provided, but the device becomes cumbersome and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is segmented into multiple independent light sources arranged in arrays along the edges of the display screen, allowing selective activation of individual light sources rather than requiring a single complex retractable lamp mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination function is extracted from the main reader housing and implemented as a separate, integrated lighting system with its own control circuitry, allowing independent optimization of the illumination subsystem without affecting the reader's core functionality
2Illumination intensity
If a retractable reading lamp is used, then display screen illumination is achieved, but glare is introduced making reading difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the display screen are illuminated by separate light sources positioned at different locations, allowing localized illumination control that directs light precisely where needed without creating glare in the user's line of sight
Solution Approach 2:
Light sources are positioned at the edges of the display screen rather than above or in front, illuminating the screen from the sides rather than from the viewing direction, thereby eliminating glare while maintaining illumination effectiveness
3Illumination intensity
If conventional reading lamps are used, then display illumination is provided, but power consumption is excessive draining batteries quickly
Solution Approach 1:
Light sources are activated in sequential patterns rather than continuously, with timing circuitry controlling periodic illumination cycles that provide sufficient reading light while allowing other light sources to remain inactive, significantly reducing overall power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system dynamically adjusts which light sources are active based on user input and reading patterns, transitioning between different illumination states rather than maintaining a static high-power configuration
4Illumination intensity
If side light sources are integrated into the reader housing, then illumination is provided, but user control is unduly limited resulting in inefficient lighting arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates user input mechanisms that provide feedback to the control circuitry, allowing users to select from multiple illumination patterns and sequences that adapt to their reading speed and style preferences
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one where light sources can be selectively activated in different patterns based on user preferences and reading conditions
5Illumination intensity
If conventional illumination devices are used, then display illumination is achieved, but alignment is difficult and positioning is imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into multiple discrete light source positions that are precisely positioned relative to the display screen, with each light source's location optimized for its specific function in the illumination pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination device is integrated with the reader housing such that the light source arrays and display screen form a unified structure, eliminating alignment issues between separate components
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
The solution enables efficient alignment with the display screen, reduces glare, and conserves battery power by allowing precise control over lighting, adapting to individual reading needs while minimizing unnecessary power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide structure for directing light from the plurality of light sources over a surface of a display screen to be illuminated
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device comprises a plurality of light sources, light sequencing circuitry coupled to the light sources, a light guide structure for directing light from the plurality of light sources over a surface of a display screen to be illuminated, and a user interface for providing control input to the light sequencing circuitry. The light sequencing circuitry comprises a logic state machine responsive to the control input to select one of a plurality of available sequencing modes for the plurality of light sources, a code generator operative to generate output signals controlling respective ones of the light sources responsive to the selected one of the sequencing modes, and timing circuitry for defining timing intervals for processing of the control input by the logic state machine to determine the selected one of the sequencing modes and for generation of the corresponding output signals by the code generator.