Patent · US Active

Light sensor obstruction detection

US9449561B1 · kind B1 · utility

15Cited by
0References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 18, 2014
Grant dateSep 20, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 3, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG09G2360/144
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An ambient light sensor may be used to measure ambient light in an environment that surrounds a device. The measured ambient light may be used to adjust display settings employed by the device, and thereby improve a user experience during interaction with the device in the environment. During use of the device that includes an ambient light sensor, the ambient light sensor may become obscured (blocked, covered, etc.) by a user's finger, a cover, dirt, and/or by another object that obstructs the ambient light sensor's ability to detect light from the environment. Various techniques may be used to determine obstruction of the ambient light sensor. In some embodiments, changes in display settings may be compared to measured changes in ambient light to determine whether a light sensor is obstructed. In some embodiments, use of a second light sensor may validate whether a first light sensor is obstructed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.