Pivoting Optical Sensor for Display Brightness Sensing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid crystal display (LCD) devices require two optical sensors to detect ambient and display brightness, increasing material costs and potentially obstructing the display area due to the fixed placement of the second sensor.

Innovation Solution

An optical sensing module with a pivoting casing and a single optical sensor that can face either the display area or ambient light, allowing it to sense brightness without obstructing the display and reducing material costs by eliminating the need for a second sensor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two optical sensors are used to detect ambient and display brightness, then the brightness and color of the image can be maintained, but the material cost increases and the display area is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrightness and color maintenanceVSAvoidmaterial cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor is mounted on a pivoting casing that can rotate between two positions: facing the display area to sense display brightness, or facing ambient light to sense ambient brightness. This dynamic repositioning allows a single sensor to perform the functions previously requiring two fixed sensors, thereby reducing material cost while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single optical sensor is designed to perform multiple functions by changing its orientation. The same sensor detects both ambient light brightness and display area brightness at different times, eliminating the need for separate dedicated sensors for each function and thus reducing the quantity of components required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If the second optical sensor is fixed on the frame to cover part of the display area, then display brightness can be sensed, but the display area is obstructed when the sensor is not used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay brightness sensingVSAvoiddisplay area visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor is mounted on a pivoting casing that can rotate between two positions: facing the display area to sense display brightness, or facing ambient light to sense ambient brightness. This dynamic repositioning allows a single sensor to perform the functions previously requiring two fixed sensors, thereby reducing material cost while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The optical sensor is extracted from a fixed position on the frame and relocated to a pivoting casing that can be positioned dynamically. This extraction allows the sensor to be removed from the display area when not in use, eliminating the obstruction problem while preserving the ability to measure display brightness when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If a single optical sensor is used, then material cost is reduced, but the sensor cannot simultaneously sense both ambient and display brightness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial costVSAvoidbrightness sensing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The optical sensor is mounted on a pivoting casing that can rotate between two positions: facing the display area to sense display brightness, or facing ambient light to sense ambient brightness. This dynamic repositioning allows a single sensor to perform the functions previously requiring two fixed sensors, thereby reducing material cost while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses periodic switching between sensing modes. The pivoting casing rotates to position the optical sensor to detect either ambient brightness or display brightness in sequence, allowing the single sensor to adaptively perform multiple sensing functions over time rather than simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic 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

The solution allows for efficient brightness sensing with reduced material costs and maintains the display area's visibility by pivoting the sensor module, enabling seamless switching between ambient and display brightness measurement without obstructing the display.

Implementation Method 1

the optical sensor is configured in the casing for sensing external light projecting on a side of the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS7894197B2Optical sensing module and display device using the same

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 CORETRONIC CORPORATION

AI summary

An optical sensing module is adapted to be assembled to a frame of a display device. The display device comprises a display module and the frame, and the display module has a display area and the frame surrounds the display area. The optical sensing module comprises a casing and an optical sensor. The casing is pivoted to the frame and the optical sensor is configured in the casing for sensing external light projecting on a side of the casing. The optical sensor is capable of sensing a brightness of the display area when the side of the casing faces the display area and sensing a brightness of an ambient light when the side of the casing doesn't face the display area.