Automatic control of display brightness

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017263192-A1
Application number	US-201615068125-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 11, 2016
Priority date	Mar 11, 2016
Publication date	Sep 14, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

One embodiment provides a method including: capturing, using a camera on a device, at least one image of a user viewing a display of the device; and adjusting, using a processor, a brightness setting of the display from a first setting to a second setting based on the at least one image. Other aspects are described and claimed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:
capturing, using a camera on a device, at least one image of a user viewing a display of the device; and adjusting, using a processor, a brightness setting of the display from a first setting to a second setting based on the at least one image.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing comprises changing the frequency that the at least one image is captured.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the capturing comprises actively transmitting light from the device and receiving reflections therefrom.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
using the at least one image to determine a size of a pupil of the user; and comparing the pupil size to a reference, wherein each reference is associated with a predetermined brightness setting.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
capturing a second image of the pupil after capturing the at least one image; using the second image to determine a size of the pupil; and comparing the pupil size of the at least one image and the pupil size of the second image.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising maintaining the brightness of the display at the first setting if the change in pupil size between the at least one image and the second image is less than a predetermined threshold.

7 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising maintaining the brightness of the display at the first setting if the change in pupil size between the at least one image and the second image produces a brightness adjustment that is less than a predetermined threshold.

8 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the pupil size is determined from a pupil dimension.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising capturing the at least one image of the pupil when light data associated with an ambient light sensor (ALS) is received.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein an output of the ALS is used to adjust the brightness setting.

11 . An electronic device, comprising:
a camera; a processor; a memory device that stores instructions executable by the processor to: capture, using the camera, at least one image of a user viewing a display of the device; and adjust a brightness setting of the display from a first setting to a second setting based on the at least one image.

12 . The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions that are executable by the processor to capture comprise instructions that change the frequency that the at least one image is captured.

13 . The electronic device of claim 11 , wherein the instructions that are executable by the processor to capture comprise instructions that actively transmit light from the device and receive reflections therefrom.

14 . The electronic device of claim 11 , further comprising:
instructions that are executable by the processor to use the at least one image to determine a size of a pupil of the user; and instructions that are executable by the processor to compare the pupil size to a reference, wherein each reference is associated with a predetermined brightness setting.

15 . The electronic device of claim 14 , further comprising:
instructions that are executable by the processor to capture a second image of the pupil after capturing the at least one image; instructions that are executable by the processor to use the second image to determine a size of the pupil; and instructions that are executable by the processor to compare the pupil size of the at least one image and the pupil size of the second image.

16 . The electronic device of claim 15 , further comprising instructions that are executable by the processor to maintain the brightness of the display at the first setting if the change in pupil size between the at least one image and the second image is less than a predetermined threshold.

17 . The electronic device of claim 15 , further comprising instructions that are executable by the processor to maintain the brightness of the display at the first setting if the change in pupil size between the at least one image and the second image produces a brightness adjustment that is less than a predetermined threshold.

18 . The electronic device of claim 14 , wherein the pupil size is determined from a pupil dimension.

19 . The electronic device of claim 11 , further comprising instructions that are executable by the processor to capture the at least one image of the pupil when light data associated with an ambient light sensor (ALS) is received, wherein an output of the ALS is used to adjust the brightness setting.

20 . A product, comprising:
a storage device that stores code executable by a processor, the code comprising: code that captures, using a camera on a device, at least one image of a user viewing a display of the device; and code that adjusts, using a processor, a brightness setting of the display from a first setting to a second setting based on the at least one image.

Assignees

• Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Luna Joaquin F
• Vanblon Russell Speight
• Li Scott Wentao
• Kapinos Robert James

Classifications

• G09G2360/145

  the light originating from the display screen · CPC title

• G09G2360/16

  Calculation or use of calculated indices related to luminance levels in display data · CPC title

• G09G2354/00

  Aspects of interface with display user · CPC title

• G09G2320/0626

  for control of overall brightness · CPC title

• G09G3/3406 Primary

  Control of illumination source (illumination devices structurally associated with liquid crystal cells G02F1/1336) · CPC title