Solar Cell Dual-Function Light Sensing and Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices that incorporate both ambient light sensors and solar cells face increased hardware costs and power consumption, and ambient light sensors can generate significant errors due to varying placement positions, especially in small OLED and electronic paper products.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device that uses electric energy generated by a solar cell to charge an energy storage unit and control light source parameters, such as brightness, contrast, and keyboard light, through a control unit comprising a reference signal generator and brightness corrector, eliminating the need for an ambient light sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both ambient light sensor and solar cell are configured in the electronic device, then light source adjustment and renewable energy utilization are achieved, but hardware cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell is designed to perform dual functions: converting light energy to electric energy for power supply, and simultaneously serving as a light sensing element to detect ambient light intensity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate ambient light sensor, thereby reducing hardware cost while maintaining light source adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the solar cell and ambient light sensor into a single component. The solar cell's photoelectric effect is utilized for both power generation and light intensity detection, combining two previously separate functions into one integrated element, which reduces device complexity and hardware cost
2Ease of operation
If ambient light sensor is used for light source adjustment, then light intensity detection is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to placement position variations
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell serves itself by utilizing its inherent photoelectric properties for both power generation and light sensing. Since the solar cell is inherently positioned to capture light for power conversion, it naturally serves as an accurate light intensity sensor without requiring separate placement considerations, eliminating placement-position-related measurement errors
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the solar cell to detect ambient light intensity and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the backlight or keyboard light accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate light source adjustment based on real-time light intensity detection, improving measurement precision
3Adaptability or versatility
If ambient light sensor is disposed in the electronic device, then light detection function is added, but the number of elements and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell performs multiple functions including power generation and light intensity detection, eliminating the need for a separate ambient light sensor. This reduces the total number of elements in the device and consequently lowers power consumption while maintaining light detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The solar cell utilizes its own photoelectric effect to perform light sensing without requiring additional power-consuming sensing components. The same component that generates power also provides light detection, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adaptability
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 reduces the number of elements, hardware costs, and power consumption while minimizing errors in light source adjustments, enhancing operational functionalities and precision in controlling light source parameters.
Implementation Method 1
The solar cell converts light energy to electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including a solar cell, an energy storage unit, a control unit, and a controlled unit is provided. The solar cell converts light energy to electric energy. The energy storage unit performs charging by the electric energy. The control unit determines the intensity of the light energy according to an energy value of the electric energy and generates a correction signal accordingly, wherein the energy value is a current value or a voltage value. The controlled unit controls a characteristic parameter according to the correction signal.