Display device with self-adjusting control parameters

• US 6,618,045 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2000
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lin, Yun
• Primary Examiner(s): Shankar, Vijay
• Application Number:
  US09/497,913
• Time in Patent Office: 1,313 Days
• Field of Search: 345/204, 345/207, 345/212, 345/214, 345/102, 348/602, 348/603, 348/657, 348/658
• US Class Current: 345/207
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0606 Manual adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0626 for control of overall brightness
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/066 for control of contrast
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0666 for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2360/144 the light being ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/10 Intensity circuits

Abstract

Methods and arrangements are provided that automatically adjust various operating settings associated with a display device in response to detected lighting conditions. The methods and arrangements respond to dynamically changing light conditions in an effort to significantly maintain the output quality of the display as previously established by the user. Memory is provided and configured to store at least one user preference value. At least one display parameter controller unit operatively associated with the display device is also provided and configured to respond to a parameter setting. At least one sensor unit, which is responsive to light, is configured to output a detected light value to logic. The logic is operatively coupled to the memory, the display parameter controller unit and the sensor unit. The logic is configured to output the parameter setting to the parameter controller unit based on the user preference value and the detected light value. Thus, for example, the user can establish a preferred setting for the brightness, contrast, color, etc., for a given lighting condition. The logic can be further configured to output the parameter setting based on the preference value, detected light value, and specified curve-fitting data.

Claims

1. An arrangement for use with a display device, the arrangement comprising:

memory configured to store at least one preference value and n-dimensional curve-fitting data, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to three and the n-dimensional curve-fitting data is generated using at least one substantially continuous curve-fitting algorithm;

at least one display parameter controller unit operatively associated with the display device and configured to respond to at least a first parameter setting and a second parameter setting selected from a group of settings comprising a brightness setting, a contrast setting, and a color setting;

at least one sensor unit responsive to light and configured to output a detected light value; and

logic operatively coupled to the memory, the display parameter controller unit and the sensor unit, the logic being configured to output the at least first and second parameter settings based on at least the preference value, the n-dimensional curve-fitting data, and the detected light value.

2. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein n is equal to at least four and the logic is further configured to output at least a third parameter setting also selected from the group of settings comprising a brightness setting, a contrast setting, and a color setting.

3. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the memory is further configured to store a plurality of preference values and based on the n-dimensional curve fitting data the logic is configured to use at least one additional significantly preferred preference value based on at least a portion of the plurality of preference values when outputting at least the first and second parameter settings.

4. The arrangement as recited in claim 3, wherein the plurality of preference values includes at least a bright environment preference value and a dim environment preference value.

5. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the preference value is a preferred brightness value.

6. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the preference value is a preferred contrast value.

7. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, the preference value is a preferred color value.

8. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is configured to be responsive to light falling within a selected portion of the visible light spectrum.

9. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is configured to be responsive to light coming from at least one specific direction with respect to the sensor unit.

10. A system comprising:

a computer; and

a display device having the arrangement as recited in claim 1.

11. The arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein the display device includes a projection screen.

12. A method for use with a display device, the method comprising:

establishing desired viewing data for the display device;

providing at least one substantially continuous n-dimensional curve-fitting algorithm associated with the desired viewing data, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to three;

measuring an amount of ambient light falling on at least a portion of the display device and outputting a current light value;

determining at least two display operational parameters selected from among a group of operational parameters comprising a brightness parameter, a contrast parameter, and a color level parameter, as a function of the desired viewing data and the current light value as applied to the n-dimensional curve-fitting algorithm; and

adjusting at least one display signal associated with the display device based on the at least two display operational parameters.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein measuring the amount of ambient light falling on at least the portion of the display device further includes measuring a selected portion of the visible light spectrum.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein measuring the amount of ambient light falling on at least the portion of the display device further includes measuring light coming from at least one specific direction with respect to the portion of the display device.

15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein establishing the desired viewing data for the display device includes establishing at least one value selected from a group of values comprising a desired brightness value, a desired contrast value, and a desired color value.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the display device includes a projection screen.