TOF Sensor and Camera Attention Sensing for Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems lack effective methods to dynamically adjust operations based on user presence and attention, leading to inefficient resource usage and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a time of flight (TOF) proximity sensor and a low-power camera with a vision system to detect user presence and gaze direction, enabling the system to capture images, analyze them for user attention, and adjust operations accordingly, such as controlling display brightness and video playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system continuously monitors user presence and attention using cameras and sensors, then user experience is enhanced and operations are optimized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic monitoring with TOF sensors at regular intervals to detect user presence, rather than continuous monitoring. The camera captures images only when motion is detected or at scheduled intervals, and the vision system processes images periodically to determine gaze direction. This periodic operation maintains adaptability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts its operation based on detected user presence and attention states without requiring manual intervention. The TOF sensor autonomously detects motion, triggers camera capture, the vision system analyzes gaze direction, and the system self-adjusts display brightness, video playback, and other operations accordingly, minimizing the need for continuous user input while maintaining adaptive behavior.
2Measurement precision
If the system uses multiple sensors and cameras to detect user presence and gaze direction, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines TOF proximity sensors, cameras, and vision processing into an integrated attention detection system. The TOF sensor data and camera image data are merged to complement each other - TOF provides reliable presence detection while the camera captures visual information for gaze analysis. This merging of multiple sensing modalities improves detection accuracy while managing complexity through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The vision system acts as an intermediary that processes camera images to extract gaze direction information, bridging the gap between raw image data and meaningful attention metrics. This intermediary processing layer simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a standardized interface between the camera hardware and the operation control logic, reducing the complexity of direct integration between multiple sensors and control functions.
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 dynamic operation control based on user presence and attention, optimizing resource usage and enhancing user experience by ensuring the system remains active only when needed and conserving power.
Implementation Method 1
enabling operation of a time of flight (TOF) proximity sensor at an information handling system
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include enabling operation of a time of flight (TOF) proximity sensor at an information handling system and initializing execution of a software service. The method may further include receiving, at the software service, an alert signal from the TOF proximity sensor indicating movement proximate to the information handling system. In response to receiving the alert signal, a camera at the information handling system may be configured to capture an image. The image may be analyzed by a vision system coupled to the camera to determine a gaze direction of a user at the information handling system. Operation of the information handling system may be configured based on the gaze direction.