Multi-Screen Mobile Device Brightness Control via Inclination Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile information apparatuses with multiple screens face challenges in reducing power consumption while ensuring the screen being viewed remains visible, as existing techniques fail to effectively control display brightness based on the user's line of sight between multiple screens.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inclination detection system and a control section that determines the user's line of sight by detecting the inclination of display surfaces and adjusting the brightness accordingly, switching off the light of unused displays to conserve power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple screens are provided to display more information, then the display capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by controlling the brightness of each display section independently based on the user's line of sight. The control section sets the brightness of the first display section to a first level and the brightness of the second display section to a second level, allowing different parts of the system to have different operational states optimized for their specific function at that moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by continuously detecting the inclination of display surfaces and dynamically adjusting brightness levels based on the user's changing line of sight. The system periodically switches between different brightness states to match the user's viewing behavior, reducing power consumption when screens are not being viewed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Illumination intensity

If brightness of all screens is maintained to ensure visibility, then viewability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreen visibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by maintaining full brightness only for the display section the user is currently viewing, while reducing or turning off brightness for other display sections. This partial illumination approach ensures the necessary display remains visible while avoiding unnecessary power consumption from other displays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If brightness of screens is reduced to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but visibility of non-viewed screens becomes unnecessary

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidinformation accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using an inclination detection section to detect the user's line of sight and automatically adjusting the brightness of display sections accordingly. This closed-loop system continuously monitors user behavior and adapts the display brightness to match actual viewing needs, ensuring information remains accessible when needed while saving power when not viewed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 approach effectively reduces power consumption of unused screens while maintaining visibility of the screen in use, enhancing battery life in multi-screen mobile devices.

Implementation Method 1

an inclination detection section that detects an inclination of display surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclination detection: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP2479967B1Mobile information device and display control method

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 NEC CORP

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AI summary

Multiple displays are arranged such that their display surfaces are arrayed side by side. A measurement section measures orientation information about apparatus orientation. A control section determines the display surface a user is viewing from among multiple displays, based on the orientation information measured by the measurement section. The control section causes the display surface of displays, other than the display surface determined as being viewed by the user, to become darker than the display surface of the display determined as being viewed by the user.