Underside Optical Sensor for Ambient Light Detection Through Skin

Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face challenges in providing an optimal viewing experience due to varying ambient light conditions, which can lead to increased power consumption and reduced user experience, and the placement of ambient light sensors can result in larger, bulkier devices that are less aesthetically pleasing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating optical sensors on the underside of portable electronic devices to detect ambient light through the user's skin, allowing for accurate light measurement without increasing device size or compromising aesthetics, and using this data to adjust display brightness and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If ambient light sensors are placed on the front or side of the device to detect ambient light, then the device can adjust display brightness to maintain optimal viewing experience, but the device size increases and aesthetic appeal decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the ambient light sensor from traditional front or side positions to the underside of the device, utilizing an previously unused spatial dimension. This allows the sensor to detect ambient light through the user's skin when the device is held, avoiding the need for additional front/side space while maintaining viewing experience optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the user's skin as an intermediary medium through which ambient light passes to reach the sensor on the underside. This indirect detection method eliminates the need for direct line-of-sight sensors on the device exterior, preserving both compact size and aesthetic design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If ambient light sensors are placed on the front or side of the device to detect ambient light, then the device can adjust display brightness to maintain optimal viewing experience, but the device becomes bulkier and less aesthetically pleasing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoiddevice aesthetics

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the ambient light sensor from traditional front or side positions to the underside of the device, utilizing an previously unused spatial dimension. This allows the sensor to detect ambient light through the user's skin when the device is held, avoiding the need for additional front/side space while maintaining viewing experience optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the user's skin as an intermediary medium through which ambient light passes to reach the sensor on the underside. This indirect detection method eliminates the need for direct line-of-sight sensors on the device exterior, preserving both compact size and aesthetic design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If display brightness is increased to maintain optimal viewing experience in various ambient light conditions, then viewing quality improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay brightnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ambient light sensor continuously monitors ambient light conditions and the system automatically adjusts display brightness accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures optimal viewing experience while minimizing power consumption by avoiding unnecessary high brightness settings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of display brightness based on ambient light detection without requiring manual user intervention. The automatic adaptation to lighting conditions optimizes power efficiency while maintaining viewing quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 enables portable electronic devices to maintain an optimal viewing experience by dynamically adjusting display settings based on ambient light conditions while minimizing size and maintaining aesthetic appeal, thus conserving power and enhancing usability.

Implementation Method 1

one or more optical sensors configured to detect light passing through a user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission through tissue: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10043485B2Ambient light sensing through the human body

Publication Date: 2018.08.07 APPLE INC

AI summary

A portable electronic device including one or more sensors for detecting ambient light through the user's skin is disclosed. The sensors can be optical sensors such as ambient light sensors (ALS) and/or cameras. Examples of the present disclosure include a device that can determine the intensity of ambient light and can change the operating state of the portable electronic device based on the ambient light environment. The device can also determine the type of ambient light and generate notifications to the user based on the determined type.