Ambient Light Triggered Camera Response for Low-Power Screen Wake

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face high power consumption when using real-time sensors and detection models for screen activation, reducing their standby time.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus utilizing an ambient light sensor to trigger a camera for image capture based on light intensity variation, with an AI processor for image detection, followed by components entering low power states to conserve energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If real-time sensors and detection models are run to detect user action for screen activation, then the terminal can quickly perform response operation, but power consumption of the electronic device is severely increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse operation speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by capturing images at specific intervals before a user action is completed, storing these images in advance. When screen activation is detected, the pre-captured images are immediately processed instead of waiting for real-time capture, thereby reducing the response time while avoiding continuous sensor operation that would increase power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous real-time detection, the system adopts periodic action by capturing images at predetermined intervals (e.g., every N frames). This periodic sampling reduces the operational time of sensors and detection models, lowering power consumption while still enabling timely detection of user actions that occur between sampling points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If real-time sensors and detection models are run to detect user action, then screen can be turned on in timely and accurate manner, but standby time of the electronic device is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser action detection accuracyVSAvoidstandby time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by processing only a subset of captured images (e.g., every Nth frame) rather than analyzing every single frame in real-time. This partial processing maintains sufficient detection accuracy for user actions while significantly reducing computational load and power consumption during standby periods, thereby extending device standby time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If camera apparatus continuously captures images for gesture detection, then response operation can be performed, but power consumption increases due to continuous component operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse operation capabilityVSAvoidcomponent power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The camera apparatus operates periodically rather than continuously, capturing images at predetermined intervals during standby mode. This periodic operation maintains the capability to detect user actions and perform response operations while dramatically reducing the operational time of the camera and associated processing components, thereby lowering overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary image capture and storage before user actions occur. By pre-capturing images at intervals and storing them temporarily, the system ensures response operation capability is maintained while avoiding the need for continuous camera operation and real-time processing, thus reducing component power consumption during standby periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Reduces power consumption while enabling quick response operations, such as screen activation, by efficiently utilizing components only when needed, thereby prolonging the device's standby time.

Implementation Method 1

obtain a first signal that indicates a light intensity variation from an ambient light sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4195628B1Electronic device, and response operating method of electronic device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4195628B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4195628B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4195628B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an electronic apparatus and a response operation method. The electronic apparatus includes a controller, an image signal processor, an artificial intelligence AI processor, and a central processing unit. The processor is configured to: obtain a first signal that indicates a light intensity variation from an ambient light sensor, and trigger, based on the first signal, a camera apparatus to collect a first image. The image signal processor is configured to: receive the first image from the camera apparatus, process the first image to generate a second image, and provide the second image to the AI processor. The AI processor detects the second image to obtain an image detection result. The central processing unit is configured to perform a response operation based on the image detection result. In this way, the camera apparatus can be triggered by the light intensity variation to work, to save electric energy of the electronic apparatus, so that a standby time of the electronic apparatus is prolonged when the electronic apparatus can perform a response operation.