Display device control based on integrated ambient light detection and lighting source characteristics

• US 10,580,355 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2016
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Gardner, Jr., William Bryson
• Primary Examiner(s): Faragalla, Michael A
• Application Number:
  US15/387,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20170110051A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,168 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/043 Preventing or counteracting the effects of ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/064 by time modulation of the brightness of the illumination source
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/145 the light originating from the display screen
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3225 using an active matrix
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3413 Details of control of colour illumination sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/36 using liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for a display device including one or more methods for modifying the display brightness by automatically adapting to ambient lighting conditions. A light sensor may measure the ambient light. Ambient light detection may be provided without requiring an additional opening in the device housing to support such detection.

Claims

1. An electronic device having a front and a rear, the electronic device comprising:

a housing having a rear surface at the rear and sidewall surfaces that extend from the rear surface;

an organic light-emitting diode display mounted in the housing at the front, the organic light-emitting diode display comprising a layer of colored display elements that form pixels in an active area of the organic light-emitting diode display; and

at least one light sensor mounted in the housing behind the layer of colored display elements, wherein the at least one light sensor receives light through the active area and wherein the light sensor is mounted between the layer of colored display elements and the rear surface.

2. The electronic device defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one light sensor comprises a first light sensor and a second light sensor that receive light through the active area.

3. The electronic device defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a touch-sensitive layer that overlaps the organic light-emitting diode display.

4. The electronic device defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one light sensor comprises an ambient light sensor.

16. The electronic device defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the at least one light sensor during a sensing interval, wherein the organic light-emitting diode display does not emit light during the sensing interval.

5. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing having a rear surface and sidewall surfaces that extend from the rear surface;

an organic light-emitting diode display mounted in the housing;

a light sensor mounted in the housing between the rear surface and the organic light-emitting diode display, wherein the light sensor receives light through the organic light-emitting diode display and wherein the organic light-emitting diode display comprises a layer of colored display elements that form pixels in an active area of the organic light-emitting diode display; and

a transparent layer through which light from the pixels passes to display images in the active area.

6. The electronic device defined in claim 5, wherein the light sensor receives light through the active area.

7. The electronic device defined in claim 6, further comprising:

an additional light sensor mounted in the housing between the rear surface and the organic light-emitting diode display, wherein the additional light sensor receives light through the active area.

8. The electronic device defined in claim 5, further comprising:

a touch sensor mounted in the housing, wherein the touch sensor overlaps the organic light-emitting diode display.

9. The electronic device defined in claim 5, wherein the light sensor comprises an ambient light sensor.

10. The electronic device defined in claim 9, wherein the ambient light sensor detects ambient light conditions and adjusts a brightness level of the organic light-emitting diode display based on the ambient light conditions.

11. An electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

an organic light-emitting diode display mounted in the housing having an active area that displays images to a user;

an array of light sensors mounted in the housing behind the active area of the display, wherein the array of light sensors receives light that passes directly through the active area to the array of light sensors;

a touch sensor layer that overlaps the active area, wherein the organic light-emitting diode display is interposed between the touch sensor layer and the array of light sensors; and

a printed circuit board mounted in the housing, wherein the array of light sensors is interposed between the printed circuit board and the organic light-emitting diode display.

12. The electronic device defined in claim 11, wherein the housing comprises a rear surface and sidewall surfaces that extend from the rear surface, and wherein the printed circuit board is interposed between the rear surface and the array of light sensors.

13. The electronic device defined in claim 11, wherein the organic light-emitting diode display comprises a layer of colored display elements that form pixels in the active area.

14. The electronic device defined in claim 11 further comprising:

a touch sensor layer that overlaps the active area of the display.

15. The electronic device defined in claim 11, further comprising:

a substrate on which the array of light sensors is mounted.