Device having optical sensor

• US 7,397,021 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Shibata, Shinji
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps; Georgia Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wyatt; Kevin
• Application Number:
  US11/300,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20060151678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 250/205, 250/238, 250/214.AL, 250/214.R, 250/214.D, 345/207, 345/101, 345/102
• US Class Current: 250/238
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 1/32 adapted for automatic variation of the measured or reference value regulation of light intensity G05D25/00

Abstract

A functional device includes a light sensor for outputting a signal control signal relative to received light, a temperature sensor for outputting an additional control signal relative to an ambient temperature, a control means for controlling the signal control signal, and an output means for outputting a sensory signal perceivable by a sensory organ based on the signal control signal. The control means controls the signal control signal by using the additional control signal.

Claims

1. A functional device comprising:

a light sensor for outputting a signal control signal relative to received light;

a temperature sensor for outputting an additional control signal relative to an ambient temperature;

a control means for controlling the signal control signal; and

an output means for outputting a sensory signal perceivable by a sensory organ based on the signal control signal,

wherein the control means controls the signal control signal by using the additional control signal according to temperature-current characteristics of the light sensor at the ambient temperature,

wherein the output means includes a backlight of a liquid crystal panel, and

wherein the sensory signal includes light emitted from the backlight.

2. A functional device comprising:

a light sensor for outputting a signal control signal relative to received light;

a temperature sensor for outputting an additional control signal relative to an ambient temperature;

a control means fur controlling the signal control signal; and

an output means for outputting a sensory signal perceivable by a Sensory organ based on the signal control signal,

wherein the control means controls the signal control signal by using the additional control signal according to temperature-current characteristics of the light sensor at the ambient temperature,

wherein the output means includes a sound generation device, and

wherein the sensory signal includes sound generated by the sound generation device.

3. A functional device comprising:

a light sensor for outputting a signal control signal relative to received light;

a temperature sensor for outputting an additional control signal relative to an ambient temperature;

a control means for controlling the signal control signal; and

an output means for outputting a sensory signal perceivable by a sensory organ based on the signal control signal.

wherein the control means controls the signal control signal by using the additional control signal according to temperature-current characteristics of the light sensor at the ambient temperature,

wherein the output means includes a vibration generation device, and

wherein the sensory signal includes vibration generated by the vibration generation device.

4. A method for controlling a sensory signal comprising steps of:

providing a first sensor for outputting a signal control signal relative to received light;

providing a second sensor for outputting an additional control signal relative to an ambient temperature;

providing a control means for controlling the signal control signal; and

providing an output means for outputting the sensory signal perceivably for a sensory organ based on the signal control signal,

wherein the control means controls the signal control signal by using the additional control signal according to temperature-current characteristics of the first sensor at the ambient temperature,

wherein the output means comprises a backlight of a liquid crystal panel, and wherein the sensory signal comprises light emitted from the backlight.

5. A method for controlling a sensory signal comprising steps of:

providing a first sensor for outputting a signal control signal relative to received light;

providing a second sensor for outputting an additional control signal relative to an ambient temperature;

providing a control means for controlling the signal control signal; and

providing an output means for outputting the sensory signal perceivably for a sensory organ based on the signal control signal,

wherein the control means controls the signal control signal by using the additional control signal according to temperature-current characteristics of the first sensor at the ambient temperature,

wherein the output means comprises a sound generation device, and wherein the sensory signal comprises sound generated by the sound generation device.

6. A method for controlling a sensory signal comprising steps of:

providing a first sensor for outputting a signal control signal relative to received light;

providing a second sensor for outputting an additional control signal relative to an ambient temperature;

providing a control means for controlling the signal control signal; and

providing an output means for outputting the sensory signal perceivably for a sensory organ based on the signal control signal,

wherein the control means controls the signal control signal by using the additional control signal according to temperature-current characteristics of the first sensor at the ambient temperature,

wherein the output means comprises a vibration generation device, and wherein the sensory signal comprises vibration generated by the vibration generation device.