Backlight adjustment system
First Claim
1. A system for controlling the backlighting of an electronic display with a backlight cavity contained within a housing, the system comprising:
- a backlighting assembly within the backlight cavity of the electronic display;
a power source operatively connected to said backlighting assembly;
a temperature sensing device within the housing;
a first light sensing device positioned to measure ambient light;
a second light sensing device within said backlight cavity; and
a software driver operatively connected tosaid temperature sensing device;
said first and second light sensing devices; and
said power source; and
wherein the software driver is adapted todecrease the power source when the temperature sensing device indicates a temperature higher than a threshold temperature,measure a light ratio, wherein said light ratio is defined as the ratio of the amount of light contacting the front surface of the housing to the amount of light within the backlight cavity;
increase the power source when the light ratio exceeds a maximum preferred light ratio; and
decrease the power source when the light ratio falls below a minimum preferred light ratio.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A preferred embodiment relates to controlling the amount of backlight in an electronic display to account for the temperature in the backlight cavity. Another embodiment relates to a system for controlling the amount of backlight based on both the temperature in the backlight cavity and the amount of ambient light. The embodiments are especially useful in electronic displays which are subjected to cold or warm temperatures and displays which are placed in very bright environments. Exemplary embodiments allow the display to remain visible, while avoiding possible damage due to high levels of heat or cold.
75 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for controlling the backlighting of an electronic display with a backlight cavity contained within a housing, the system comprising:
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a backlighting assembly within the backlight cavity of the electronic display; a power source operatively connected to said backlighting assembly; a temperature sensing device within the housing; a first light sensing device positioned to measure ambient light; a second light sensing device within said backlight cavity; and a software driver operatively connected to said temperature sensing device; said first and second light sensing devices; and said power source; and wherein the software driver is adapted to decrease the power source when the temperature sensing device indicates a temperature higher than a threshold temperature, measure a light ratio, wherein said light ratio is defined as the ratio of the amount of light contacting the front surface of the housing to the amount of light within the backlight cavity; increase the power source when the light ratio exceeds a maximum preferred light ratio; and decrease the power source when the light ratio falls below a minimum preferred light ratio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling the amount of backlighting in an electronic display device having a viewing surface and backlight assembly placed within a backlight cavity, the steps comprising:
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setting a maximum operating temperature for said backlight cavity; measuring the temperature in the backlight cavity; dimming the backlight slightly when the temperature in the backlight cavity exceeds the maximum operating temperature; and measuring the amount of light contacting the viewing surface; measuring the amount of light generated by the backlighting assembly; defining a preferred light ratio, wherein said light ratio is defined as the ratio of the amount of light contacting the viewing surface to the amount of light generated by the backlight assembly; calculate the current light ratio, based on said light measurements; increasing the power to the backlight assembly when the current light ratio exceeds the maximum preferred light ratio; and decreasing the power to the backlight assembly when the current light ratio falls below the minimum preferred light ratio.
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9. A method for controlling the amount of backlighting in an electronic display device having a viewing surface and backlight assembly placed within a backlight cavity, the steps comprising:
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providing a power source which sends power to the backlight assembly; providing a software driver which is operatively connected to and sends controlling signals to said power source; setting an operating temperature range for said backlight cavity; sending power to said backlight assembly; measuring the temperature in the backlight cavity; slightly decreasing the power to the backlight assembly when the temperature in the backlight cavity exceeds the operating temperature range; and holding the slightly decreased power amount until the temperature in the backlight cavity returns to within the operating temperature range. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification