Spectrometric Sensor Integration in Portable Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spectrometric sensors are difficult to miniaturize for integration into portable electronic devices due to their large internal structure, making it challenging to mount them without increasing the device's size and disrupting the aesthetics by requiring additional space and light transmission regions.
Innovation Solution
A compact spectrometric sensing apparatus is designed for electronic devices, incorporating a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit within the housing, which includes a processor to control the light emission and detection modes, allowing for miniaturization and integration without significant size increase or aesthetic disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spectrometric sensor is added to a portable electronic device, then spectrometric sensing capability is improved, but the device size increases and aesthetic integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light emitting unit and light receiving unit into a single integrated sensor assembly that utilizes existing device structures. The light emitting unit is positioned to emit light through the display, and the light receiving unit receives reflected light, merging multiple functions into one compact module that fits within the existing device form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The display serves multiple functions: it acts as both the user interface display and as a light transmission medium for the spectrometric sensing function. The housing structure is designed to serve both protective and optical transmission purposes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spectrometric sensor is added to a portable electronic device, then spectrometric sensing capability is improved, but the aesthetic integrity of the device deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is merged with the existing display and housing structures, eliminating the need for separate through-holes or transmission regions that would disrupt the device aesthetics. The light transmission path utilizes the existing display structure, maintaining the device's external appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing display and housing structures serve dual purposes: their primary functions plus serving as optical components for spectrometric sensing. The display acts as the light transmission medium, and the housing provides structural support while maintaining aesthetic appearance, eliminating the need for additional aesthetic-compromising features.
3Volume of moving object
If the internal structure of a spectrometric sensor is made compact, then the device size is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into distinct functional modules: a light emitting unit with specific wavelength LEDs, a light receiving unit with photodetectors, and signal processing circuitry. Each module is designed and manufactured separately then integrated, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
A signal processing unit acts as an intermediary between the light receiving unit and the main processor, preprocessing the optical signals before transmission. This intermediary layer simplifies the integration process and reduces the complexity of direct connections between numerous sensor components and the main system.
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
Enables the integration of spectrometric sensing capabilities into portable electronic devices while maintaining their compact size and aesthetic integrity by utilizing internal components for light transmission and processing.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting unit may include at least one light source for outputting light of at least one wavelength band
Implementation Method 2
detecting, via a light receiving unit, at least a part of the outputted light that is scattered or reflected from an object
Implementation Method 3
detecting, via a light receiving unit, at least a part of the outputted light that is scattered or reflected from an object
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an electronic device includes a housing, a display within the housing, and exposed through a surface of the housing, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit within the housing, and a processor electrically coupled with the display, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. The light emitting unit includes at least one light source for outputting light of at least one wavelength band. The light receiving unit includes at least one region for receiving the light of the at least one wavelength band. The processor is configured to control a function of the light emitting unit and/or the light receiving unit based on at least one mode. Other embodiments are disclosed.