Proximity-Illumination Sensor Circuit with Selective Light-Receiving Area Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor circuits face challenges in adjusting directional characteristics to simultaneously achieve stable illumination and effective proximity sensing, as wide directional characteristics are required for illumination but narrow characteristics are needed for proximity sensing, leading to conflicts in noise reduction and stability.
Innovation Solution
A sensor circuit with a light-receiving unit categorized into first and second light-receiving areas, where the sensitivity of these areas is selectively adjusted based on the sensor's mode of operation, using a light-receiving area selection unit to switch between wide and narrow directional characteristics depending on whether it acts as a proximity sensor or illumination sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lens is provided in the upper portion of the light-receiving element to improve proximity characteristic, then the directional characteristic becomes narrow, but this causes the illumination value to fluctuate when the incident angle of light changes
Solution Approach 1:
The light-receiving element is divided into multiple light-receiving regions with different sensitivity characteristics. By segmenting the sensing area, the patent enables selective use of regions optimized for either proximity detection (narrow directional characteristic) or illumination sensing (wide directional characteristic), thereby resolving the contradiction between the two functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the directional characteristic by switching between different light-receiving regions based on the operating mode (proximity sensing or illumination sensing). This dynamic adaptation allows the sensor to optimize its performance for the current task while maintaining stability for the other function.
2Reliability
If the directional characteristic is made wide for stable illumination sensing, then the illumination value remains stable, but the proximity sensing performance deteriorates due to increased noise from housing reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The light-receiving element is divided into multiple light-receiving regions with different sensitivity characteristics. By segmenting the sensing area, the patent enables selective use of regions optimized for either proximity detection (narrow directional characteristic) or illumination sensing (wide directional characteristic), thereby resolving the contradiction between the two functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light-receiving element are assigned different sensitivity characteristics tailored to specific functions. The patent applies local quality by making certain regions more suitable for proximity sensing while others are optimized for illumination sensing, allowing each region to excel at its designated task.
3Reliability
If a light shielding unit with concentric light transmittance distribution is provided to achieve angle-insensitive illumination sensing, then the sensitivity does not depend on the angle of irradiation light, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-receiving element is divided into multiple light-receiving regions with different sensitivity characteristics. By segmenting the sensing area, the patent enables selective use of regions optimized for either proximity detection (narrow directional characteristic) or illumination sensing (wide directional characteristic), thereby resolving the contradiction between the two functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sensitivity parameter of different light-receiving regions to achieve angle-insensitive illumination sensing without requiring complex light shielding structures. By adjusting the sensitivity distribution across regions, the system achieves robust illumination measurement while maintaining simplicity.
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 solution allows for adjustable directional characteristics, enabling stable illumination even with fluctuating light angles and reducing noise from housing reflections, while improving proximity sensing by optimizing sensitivity distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a light-receiving unit 11 having a plurality of light-receiving elements PD
Data Source
AI summary
A directional characteristic of light that is incident on a light-receiving unit is adjusted in accordance with whether a proximity-illumination sensor is caused to act as a proximity sensor or to act as an illumination sensor. The proximity-illumination sensor (50) includes a light-receiving area selection unit (101) that selects light-receiving sensitivity of which of a first light-receiving area and a second light-receiving area is made higher in accordance with whether the proximity-illumination sensor (50) is caused to act as the proximity sensor or to act as the illumination sensor.