Mobile Device Proximity Verification Using Camera and Sensor Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face challenges in conserving power and preventing inadvertent disablement of displays and touch screens due to the sensitivity of proximity sensors to user gestures, leading to unnecessary power consumption and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a camera with facial recognition software and a proximity sensor to verify user proximity, using lens position detection and facial recognition to validate close proximity, thereby reducing the likelihood of inadvertent disablement of the display and touch screen circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the backlight and graphics display screen are kept on during operation, then the user experience is maintained, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using the proximity sensor to anticipate when the display should be turned off. By detecting user proximity in advance during phone calls or video playback, the system prepares to disable the display before power consumption becomes an issue, thus preventing unnecessary energy waste while maintaining user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the proximity sensor to continuously monitor user presence and dynamically adjust display power state. When the sensor detects that a user's face is near the device, the system automatically turns off the backlight and display, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes power consumption based on real-time user interaction.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the proximity sensor is used to detect user proximity for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but inadvertent actuation by user gestures causes unnecessary disablement
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module serves as an intermediary verification mechanism between the proximity sensor and the display control system. When the proximity sensor detects potential user presence, the camera captures an image to verify whether it's a genuine user face or merely a gesture. This intermediate verification step filters out false positives while maintaining power-saving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary image capture and analysis using the camera module before finalizing the display disable decision. By capturing images in advance and analyzing them for facial features, the system verifies true proximity detection and prevents inadvertent actuation by gestures, ensuring reliable power management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile device (102) includes a touch screen display (106) and touch screen circuit (227) for receiving touch inputs (116). A camera (108) configured to acquire one or more images in front of the display (106). A proximity sensor (114) configured to provide an indication that a user is in close proximity to the touch screen display (106). A processor (204) being effective to determine, in response to the indication of the proximity sensor (114), whether the user is in a position to view the display (106) based on the one or more images of the camera (108). If the proximity sensor (114) provides an indication that the user is in close proximity to the display (106) and the processor (204) determines, based on the one or more images, that the user is in a position to view the display (106), then at least one of the display (106) and the touch screen circuit (227) are not disabled.