Methods and Systems for Sensing Ambient Light

• US 20130248691A1
• Filed: 03/23/2012
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Mirov, Russell Norman, Kubba, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/428,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20130248691A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/214.AL
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/32 adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value regulation of light intensity G05D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted

Abstract

Disclosed methods and systems relate to sensing ambient light. Some disclosed implementations operate in connection with a wearable computing device, such as a head-mountable display.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

when a display of a head-mountable display (HMD) is in a low-power state of operation, receiving an indication to activate the display; and

in response to receiving the indication;

before activating the display, obtaining a signal from an ambient light sensor that is associated with the HMD, wherein the signal is indicative of ambient light at or near a time of receiving the indication;

determining a display-intensity value based on the signal; and

causing the display to switch from the low-power state of operation to a high-power state of operation, wherein an intensity of the display upon switching is based on the display-intensity value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal from the ambient light sensor is generated in response to receiving the indication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal from the ambient light sensor is generated prior to receiving the indication.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the display to switch from a first mode to a second mode based on the signal, wherein in the second mode, a spectrum of light provided at the display is altered such that the spectrum includes one or more wavelengths in a target range.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein causing the display to switch from the first mode to the second mode occurs in response to causing the display to switch from the low-power state of operation to the high-power state of operation.

6. A system comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and

program instructions stored on the non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by at least one processor to;

when a display of a head-mountable display (HMD) is in a low-power state of operation, receive an indication to activate the display; and

in response to receiving the indication;

before activating the display, obtain a signal from an ambient light sensor that is associated with the HMD, wherein the signal is indicative of ambient light at or near a time of receiving the indication;

determine a display-intensity value based on the signal; and

cause the display to switch from the low-power state of operation to a high-power state of operation, wherein an intensity of the display upon switching is based on the display-intensity value.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the signal from the ambient light sensor is generated in response to receiving the indication.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the signal from the ambient light sensor is generated prior to receiving the indication.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein a mode of the display upon switching is based on the signal.

10. A computing device comprising:

a light guide disposed in a housing of the computing device, the light guide having a substantially transparent top portion, wherein the light guide is configured to receive ambient light through the top portion, to direct a first portion of the ambient light along a first path toward an optical device disposed at a first location, and to direct a second portion of the ambient light along a second path toward a light sensor disposed at a second location;

the light sensor, wherein the light sensor is configured to sense the second portion of the ambient light and to generate information that is indicative of the second portion of the ambient light; and

a controller configured to control an intensity of the display based on the information.

11. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the transparent top portion defines a contiguous optical opening in the housing.

12. The computing device of claim 10, wherein:

the light guide includes a channel that extends from the top portion of the light guide toward the second location;

the light guide is configured to direct the first portion of the ambient light through the top portion toward the optical device; and

the light guide is configured to direct the second portion of the ambient light through the channel toward the light sensor.

13. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the optical device includes a camera.

14. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the optical device includes a flash device.

15. The computing device of claim 10, wherein:

the light guide includes a guide portion that extends from the top portion of the light guide toward the first location;

the guide portion includes a substantially opaque region and a substantially transparent region, wherein the substantially transparent region is disposed proximate to the second location;

the light guide is configured to direct the first portion of the ambient light along the substantially opaque region toward the optical device; and

the light guide is further configured to direct the second portion of the ambient light through the substantially transparent region toward the light sensor.

16. The computing device of claim 10, wherein:

the light guide includes a curved portion that extends toward the second location; and

the light guide is configured to direct the second portion of the ambient light through the curved portion toward the light sensor.

17. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the curved portion extends from the top portion of the light guide.

18. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the housing and the light guide are formed together.

19. The computing device of claim 10, wherein the computing device is a head-mountable display.

20. A method comprising:

receiving ambient light at a contiguous optical opening of a housing of a computing device;

directing a first portion of the ambient light through a first aperture toward a first location in the housing, wherein an optical device is disposed at the first location;

directing a second portion of the ambient light through a second aperture toward a second location in the housing, wherein a light sensor is disposed at the second location;

sensing the second portion of the ambient light at the light sensor to generate information that is indicative of the second portion of the ambient light; and

controlling an intensity of a display of the computing device based on the information.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising using the first portion of the ambient light at the optical device to capture an image.