Proximity Sensor Dynamic Current Control for Power and Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional proximity sensors face issues with high power consumption and misjudgment due to fluctuating optical sensing signals caused by interference and varying ambient conditions, which affect their accuracy and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A proximity sensor operating method that switches between a standby mode with a low driving current and a check mode with a higher driving current, using different gain values and trigger determination standards to reduce power consumption and improve accuracy by performing a precision mode check before switching sensing states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed driving current is supplied to the light-emitting device to ensure stable light emission for sensing, then the sensing stability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic current adjustment by switching between a first driving current and a second driving current based on the sensing state. When the sensing signal indicates an object is detected, the system switches to the second driving current for verification; otherwise, it uses the first driving current, making the current supply adaptive rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching between different driving currents in a predetermined sequence. The control circuit alternates between the first and second driving currents based on timing signals, performing periodic sensing operations that balance power consumption with detection reliability.
2Measurement precision
If a larger current is used to drive the light-emitting device to improve sensing resolution and penetrate cover openings, then the sensing accuracy is improved, but the power consumption becomes considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the driving current magnitude based on detection needs. The second driving current, which is larger and provides better resolution, is only activated when the sensing signal indicates an object is present, rather than being continuously applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving current parameter from a fixed value to a variable value that switches between two levels. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between power consumption and sensing resolution by selecting the appropriate current level based on the sensing state.
3Speed
If the proximity sensor continuously monitors the optical sensing signal to detect object proximity, then the detection responsiveness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit implements periodic monitoring by switching between different driving currents at predetermined time intervals. This periodic action allows the sensor to maintain detection responsiveness while reducing continuous power consumption through structured sampling rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring frequency and current level are dynamically adjusted based on the sensing state. When no object is detected, the system uses lower power consumption modes; when an object is detected, it switches to higher current levels for verification, making the monitoring intensity adaptive.
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 reduces power consumption and minimizes misjudgment by selectively using higher currents only when necessary, enhancing the accuracy of proximity sensing and reducing the impact of noise and interference.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting device (101), an optical sensor (103)
Implementation Method 2
The optical sensor can generate an optical sensing signal according to received light
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a proximity sensor operating method used in a proximity sensor comprising a light-emitting device. The method comprises: in a standby mode, when an output of the proximity sensor is a first sensing state, driving a driving current of the light-emitting device to comprise a first driving current; when the proximity sensor is triggered, a check mode is entered, the proximity sensor still outputs the first sensing state, and the driving current is switched to comprise a second driving current larger than the first driving current; and in the check mode, when the length of time/number of times of triggering the proximity sensor is larger than or equal to a threshold length/number, the output of the proximity sensor switches to the second sensing state, and returning to the standby mode in which the driving current comprises the first driving current.