Portable Terminal Display Brightness Control via Temperature Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable terminals fail to effectively control display unit brightness in response to temperature and illuminance changes, leading to reduced lifespan of the display unit.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that measure temperature and illuminance to adjust the display unit's brightness using a stored brightness table, limiting it to prevent excessive brightness that can shorten the display's lifespan, and inform the user of these adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the brightness of the display unit is maintained at a high level to improve user viewing experience, then the brightness quality is improved, but the lifespan of the display unit is reduced due to temperature and brightness stress

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidlifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic brightness control by continuously monitoring temperature through a temperature sensor and adjusting the display brightness accordingly. The controller dynamically modifies brightness levels based on real-time temperature data, transitioning from static to adaptive brightness management that responds to changing thermal conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by using temperature sensor output to inform brightness adjustment decisions. The controller receives temperature feedback, processes it against predetermined thresholds, and adjusts brightness in response, creating a closed-loop control system that balances viewing quality with display longevity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the brightness is automatically adjusted based on ambient light conditions to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but the display lifespan is still reduced at high temperatures regardless of brightness level

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidlifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control functions into a unified system that simultaneously considers both ambient light conditions and temperature. The controller integrates illuminance sensor data with temperature sensor data to make comprehensive brightness decisions, merging environmental awareness with thermal management to achieve both energy efficiency and display protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters by adjusting brightness levels based on temperature thresholds. When temperature exceeds predetermined thresholds, the controller modifies the brightness parameter to reduce thermal stress on the display, thereby extending lifespan while maintaining reasonable energy consumption through adaptive rather than maximum brightness operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If temperature monitoring and dynamic brightness control are implemented to extend display lifespan, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay unit reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display system performs self-protection by using its own temperature sensor to monitor its thermal state and automatically adjusting its brightness to prevent damage. The system serves itself by detecting its own thermal conditions and taking corrective action, eliminating the need for external protection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The controller uses predetermined temperature thresholds to simplify the control logic. Instead of complex continuous optimization, the system changes brightness parameters based on discrete temperature threshold comparisons, making the control algorithm straightforward and easy to implement while effectively extending display lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2503535B1Method and apparatus for controlling brightness in a portable terminal
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2503535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2503535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2503535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and an apparatus for controlling brightness in a portable terminal are provided. The method comprises measuring temperature according to a preset period, extracting a brightness value mapped to the measured temperature from a stored brightness table, and changing a brightness of the portable terminal to correspond to the extracted brightness value.