Tapered Ambient Light Sensor Windows for Electronic Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Incorporating ambient light sensors into electronic devices can affect their appearance and may not gather ambient light readings accurately due to reflection and intensity reduction issues with traditional hole designs in opaque structures.

Innovation Solution

The use of tapered holes in opaque materials within the electronic device's housing and display cover layer allows for enhanced transparency and accuracy in ambient light measurements by minimizing reflection and ensuring light passes directly to the sensors, with optional clear fillers to further enhance refractive properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional holes are formed in opaque structures for ambient light sensors, then the device structure is simple, but the ambient light measurement accuracy deteriorates due to reflection and intensity reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambient light measurement accuracyVSAvoidoptical structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the hole structure by introducing a tapered configuration with specific angle ranges (30-60 degrees from vertical). This parameter modification optimizes light transmission by minimizing reflection at the air-opaque material interfaces, thereby improving ambient light measurement accuracy without requiring complex additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (clear filler material or air) within the tapered hole structure to mediate light transmission between the exterior environment and the ambient light sensor. This intermediary reduces reflection losses and spectral alteration, enhancing measurement accuracy while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If holes are formed in opaque materials, then light can reach sensors, but reflection and spectral alteration occur reducing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral accuracyVSAvoidreflection and spectral alteration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the hole structure by introducing a tapered configuration with specific angle ranges (30-60 degrees from vertical). This parameter modification optimizes light transmission by minimizing reflection at the air-opaque material interfaces, thereby improving ambient light measurement accuracy without requiring complex additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful reflection and spectral alteration effects into beneficial outcomes by carefully designing the tapered hole geometry. The specific taper angles are chosen to redirect reflected light away from the sensor while maintaining overall light transmission, thereby transforming optical losses into improved measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

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

3Measurement precision

If non-tapered holes are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but light reflection increases reducing sensor accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambient light sensor accuracyVSAvoidhole formation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design improves the accuracy of ambient light intensity and color measurements, enabling better display adjustments and user experience by reducing spectral alteration and reflection, thus enhancing the reliability of ambient light sensor data.

Implementation Method 1

minimizing reflection and ensuring light passes directly to the sensors, with optional clear fillers to further enhance refractive properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

optional clear fillers to further enhance refractive properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS11665310B2Ambient light sensor windows for electronic devices comprising an optical sensor within an opening in the locally thinned area of an opaque layer

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device has pixels that form an active area of a display for displaying images for a user. A layer of black ink or other opaque material may be formed on an inner surface of a display cover layer in an inactive area of the display that does not overlap pixels. The housing may have sidewalls such as a rear housing wall that faces away from the display. Ambient light sensor windows may be formed from tapered holes or other holes. The tapered holes may be formed in the opaque material on the display cover layer, may be formed in a rear housing wall or other hosing structure, or may be formed in other portions of the electronic device. Non-tapered holes may also form windows. Tapered holes may have sidewalls with portions that run parallel to their longitudinal axes and portions that are angled relative to their longitudinal axes.