Terminal Device State Indicator Control via Ambient Brightness Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling terminal device state indicators are manual and lack intelligence, leading to unnecessary energy consumption and disturbance, especially in low-light environments like bedrooms where devices are left on for data download.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that automatically control state indicators based on real-time environmental brightness detection using photosensitive devices, determining light-on or light-off states by calculating electric level variations and comparing them to thresholds, allowing the indicator to adjust its operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If state indicators are kept on continuously to show functional module status, then users can always monitor device status, but energy consumption increases and user disturbance occurs in low-light environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the indicator light's operating state adjustable and adaptable. The system dynamically changes the indicator behavior based on environmental conditions (brightness detection) and user preferences (multiple modes: continuous, breathing, flash, off). This resolves the contradiction by allowing the indicator to be active when needed for monitoring while reducing or eliminating operation in low-light environments to save energy and avoid disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the operating parameters of the indicator light based on detected environmental brightness. When ambient light levels are low, the system changes the indicator's operational parameters (turning it off or using dimmer breathing mode). This resolves the contradiction between maintaining status visibility and reducing energy consumption in low-light conditions.
2Reliability
If state indicators are kept on continuously to show functional module status, then users can always monitor device status, but user disturbance occurs in low-light environments like bedrooms
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts indicator behavior based on environmental brightness and user-selected modes. In low-light environments, the indicator can switch to breathing mode (subtle glow) or turn off completely, preventing user disturbance while still allowing status monitoring in brighter conditions. This resolves the contradiction between reliable status monitoring and avoiding harmful disturbance to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the indicator light based on ambient light detection. When brightness falls below thresholds, the indicator transitions from continuous operation to breathing mode or turns off, eliminating the harmful effect of light disturbance in low-light environments while preserving monitoring capability when appropriate.
3Ease of operation
If manual control methods are used for state indicators, then users have control over indicator operation, but the system lacks intelligence and requires user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically detect environmental brightness and autonomously control the indicator light operation. The device monitors ambient light levels and automatically adjusts indicator behavior (continuous, breathing, flash, or off) without requiring user intervention. This resolves the contradiction by providing intelligent automation while still allowing users to manually select preferred modes if desired.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously detecting environmental brightness and using this information to automatically adjust indicator light operation. The closed-loop control system monitors ambient light conditions and responds by adjusting indicator behavior accordingly, eliminating the need for constant manual control while maintaining appropriate operation based on real-time environmental conditions.
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 energy consumption and minimizes disturbance by ensuring state indicators are only active when necessary, adapting to the user's environment to avoid unnecessary light exposure.
Implementation Method 1
using a light sensitive characteristic of a photosensitive device set inside or around the terminal device to acquire the environment brightness signal of which the electric level value varies with the intensity of light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Provided are a method and device for automatically controlling a state indicator of a terminal device. The method comprises: brightness of a working environment of a terminal device is detected in real time to acquire a brightness signal of the working environment of the terminal device; a current electric level value of the brightness signal is determined according to a variation of the electric level value of the brightness signal within a preset duration; the current electric level value is determined as a light-on electric level value or a light-off electric level value by using a preset threshold; and the state indicator of the terminal device is controlled to carry out a light-on or light-off operation according to the determined light-on electric level value or light-off electric level value. The present invention automatically controls the light-on or light-off operation of the state indicator of the terminal device by using the brightness of the working environment of the terminal device, thereby avoiding disturbance of the state indicator to a user.