Sensor-Hidden Stationary Display Layout for Responsive Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alarm clocks with light-emitting diodes or bulbs lack advanced sensory capabilities to dynamically adjust light emission based on environmental conditions and user interaction, leading to suboptimal functionality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A stationary device equipped with a non-contact sensor and an optical sensor, integrated into a specific configuration on the body, controls light emission and display brightness based on environmental light intensity and user proximity, using a coating layer to enhance sensor visibility while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are arranged on the front surface of the body, then sensor detection capability is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible sensor openings
Solution Approach 1:
A cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the sensors and the external environment. The cover contains openings that allow sensor detection while providing aesthetic coverage. The coating layer on the cover further mediates by being transparent to specific wavelengths (infrared for non-contact sensor, visible light for optical sensor) while appearing opaque or aesthetically pleasing to the human eye.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating layer changes the optical properties of the cover surface. It appears opaque or aesthetically designed to human eyes but is transparent to specific wavelengths needed by the sensors. This creates a visual transformation where the same surface serves both aesthetic and functional purposes for different types of light/electromagnetic radiation.
2Reliability
If the body structure blocks light paths, then aesthetic design and sensor protection are improved, but sensor detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover and coating layer are designed with spatially varying optical properties. The coating is applied selectively in regions corresponding to sensor openings, creating local transparency where needed while maintaining opacity elsewhere. This allows the body structure to provide protection and aesthetic design overall, while locally permitting light transmission for sensor detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters (transmittance) of the coating layer are changed to be wavelength-selective. The coating is designed to transmit specific wavelengths (infrared for non-contact sensor, visible light for optical sensor) while blocking other wavelengths. This parameter change allows the same material to simultaneously provide protection, aesthetic appearance, and accurate sensor detection.
3Ease of operation
If light-emitting components are positioned for user interaction, then user interface functionality is improved, but optical sensor detection deteriorates due to light interference
Solution Approach 1:
The solution separates the light-emitting components and optical sensor in the vertical dimension (depth). The light-emitting components are positioned in the upper region for user interaction, while the optical sensor is positioned in the lower region. The body structure and cover create spatial separation, allowing user-facing light emission without interfering with sensor detection in a different spatial dimension.
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 device enhances user interaction by dynamically adjusting light emission patterns and display brightness, improving usability and user experience through responsive lighting and improved sensor detection.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact sensor configured to detect an object without physical contact
Implementation Method 2
an optical sensor configured to detect light
Implementation Method 3
the cover comprises a coating layer that is transparent to infrared lights and certain frequencies of visible lights
Data Source
AI summary
A stationary device having a display includes: a body in which the display is provided so as to be viewable from the front; an user-operable part configured to emit light, provided in an upper region of the body; a non-contact sensor configured to detect an object without physical contact, provided in a front part of the body; an optical sensor configured to detect light, provided below the non-contact sensor in the front part of the body; one or more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions, when executed, that cause at least one of the one or more processors to perform operations comprising controlling a function of the stationary device based on an output signal of the non-contact sensor, and controlling the brightness of the display based on an output signal of the optical sensor.