Dynamic brightness range for portable computer displays based on ambient conditions

• US 20090079721A1
• Filed: 07/24/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Gettemy, Shawn R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,493,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/207
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/0456 with a reflective area and a transmissive area combined in one pixel, such as in transflectance pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/043 Preventing or counteracting the effects of ageing
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/22 using controlled light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3208 organic, e.g. using organic light-emitting diodes [OLED]
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3406 Control of illumination source illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336

Abstract

A portable computer system that comprises dynamically adjustable brightness range settings and brightness control for providing improved user readability and prolonged component lifetime of the display screen. The main processor can change the range settings based on ambient light conditions or the user can perform the changes. The brightness level of the display changes according to a user selected setting within the range selected. The time required to implement the brightness change can be set to a value which can be configured by the user.

Claims

1-29. -29. (canceled)

30. A method of controlling a display, said method comprising:

receiving ambient light information;

determining a value for an image quality setting for said display based on said ambient light information and a user preference; and

adjusting said image quality setting to said value.

31. The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising performing said adjusting over a specified time period.

32. The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising receiving said user preference.

33. The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising changing said user preference.

34. The method as recited in claim 30 wherein said image quality setting comprises a brightness setting.

35. The method as recited in claim 30 further comprising displaying said image quality setting.

36. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein said displaying comprises:

displaying a slider.

37. A method of controlling a display, said method comprising:

detecting a change in ambient light;

determining a value for an image quality setting for said display based on said detected change in ambient light and a user preference; and

adjusting said image quality setting to said value.

38. The method as recited in claim 37 further comprising performing said adjusting over a specified time period.

39. The method as recited in claim 37 further comprising receiving said user preference.

40. The method as recited in claim 37 further comprising changing said user preference.

41. The method as recited in claim 37 wherein said image quality setting comprises a brightness setting.

42. The method as recited in claim 37 further comprising displaying said image quality setting.

43. The method as recited in claim 42 wherein said displaying comprises:

displaying a slider.

44. A device comprising:

a sensor operable to detect ambient light;

a display including an image quality setting; and

a controller operative to determine a value for said image quality setting based on said detected ambient light and a user preference, and wherein said controller is operative to adjust said image quality setting to said value.

45. The device as recited in claim 44 wherein said controller is operative to perform said adjustment over a specified time period.

46. The device as recited in claim 44 wherein said controller is operative to receive said user preference.

47. The device as recited in claim 44 wherein said image quality setting comprises a brightness setting.

48. The device as recited in claim 44 wherein said display is operative to display said image quality setting.

49. The device as recited in claim 44 further comprising a storage unit.