Proximity Sensor Compensation for Screen State Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In bright environments, the proximity sensor's non-linear characteristic curve and high ambient light interference cause the screen backlight to fail to turn off even when the smartphone is close to the face, due to low noise values increasing and reducing the proximity value, leading to incorrect screen state control.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the ratio of the proximity sensor's characteristic curve to an ideal curve in multiple intervals, compensates the intensity values obtained when the proximity sensor is on and off, and uses these corrected values to control the screen state, ensuring accurate screen on or off functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the proximity sensor is used to detect face proximity for screen control, then the screen can be turned off to save power, but in bright environments the ambient light interference causes the proximity value to become smaller and the screen cannot be turned off correctly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidscreen control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary compensation mechanism that calculates a compensation value based on the difference between actual and ideal characteristic curves. This compensation value acts as a mediator to correct the proximity sensor's output in bright environments, enabling accurate screen control despite ambient light interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of the proximity sensor's characteristic curve by introducing compensation values that adjust the output based on environmental conditions. By modifying the characteristic curve parameters dynamically, the system maintains accurate proximity detection in bright environments where ambient light would otherwise cause false readings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the proximity sensor operates in bright environments with high ambient light, then the sensor can detect infrared rays, but the non-linear characteristic curve causes the proximity value to decrease and screen control to fail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproximity detection accuracyVSAvoidambient light interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful ambient light interference into a beneficial compensation signal. By measuring the actual characteristic curve deviation caused by ambient light and using this deviation to calculate compensation values, the system turns the harmful interference into a correctable parameter that improves measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the proximity sensor's output and compares it against ideal characteristic curves. The difference (error signal) is used to generate compensation values that feed back into the proximity detection algorithm, continuously correcting for ambient light interference.

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 eliminates ambient light interference, allowing the screen to turn off correctly when close to the face in bright environments, maintaining normal screen on and off functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The infrared LED is used as a transmitting end of the proximity sensor for transmitting infrared rays through the infrared LED during the call

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

receiving the intensity value of the infrared light reflected by the face through the receiving end of the proximity sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared light detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11443701B2Screen state control method, device, and mobile terminal

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

AI summary

A screen state control method, device, and a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes: in a bright environment, a ratio of a characteristic curve of a proximity sensor to an ideal curve of the proximity sensor in each of a number of intervals is determined; a first intensity value of a receiving end signal is obtained, a second intensity value of a receiving end signal is turned off is obtained, the first intensity value and the second intensity value respectively according to the ratios are compensated; and a corrected proximity value of the proximity sensor according to a compensated first intensity value and a compensated second intensity value is determined, and the screen, according to a comparison result between the corrected proximity value and a preset threshold, is controlled to be selectively in a screen on state or a screen off state.