U.S. patent application number 14/106835 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-30 for light sensing module and system.
This patent application is currently assigned to LITE-ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is LITE-ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Peng-Han Zhan.
Application Number | 20140321700 14/106835 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51768433 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140321700 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhan; Peng-Han |
October 30, 2014 |
LIGHT SENSING MODULE AND SYSTEM
Abstract
A light sensing module used in a light sensing system
incorporated with a processor includes at least one first light
source, for emitting light; at least one first light sensor, for
sensing the light emitted by the first light source, light
reflected by an ambient object or ambient light, in order to obtain
a sensing result; a control unit, for performing image detecting
and object identification or ambient light sensing by computing
according to the sensing result, and generating a computational
result; and at least one interrupt driver, for sending an interrupt
signal to the processor, in order to notify the processor to
receive the computational result; wherein the processor disposes a
type and a number of the first light sensor, and configures the
control unit accordingly, so that the control unit performs
computation on the sensing result to generate the computational
result.
Inventors: |
Zhan; Peng-Han; (New Taipei
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LITE-ON SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
LITE-ON SEMICONDUCTOR
CORPORATION
New Taipei City
TW
|
Family ID: |
51768433 |
Appl. No.: |
14/106835 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61817306 |
Apr 29, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
382/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 2224/48091
20130101; H01L 25/50 20130101; G01S 7/4813 20130101; H01L
2224/05554 20130101; G01S 17/50 20130101; G01J 2001/4295 20130101;
H01L 27/14618 20130101; Y02D 10/14 20180101; G01J 1/42 20130101;
G06F 3/03547 20130101; G06F 13/24 20130101; G06F 3/0304 20130101;
H01L 27/14625 20130101; H01L 31/02327 20130101; Y02D 10/00
20180101; H01L 2224/48247 20130101; G06K 9/60 20130101; H01L 25/167
20130101; G06T 5/008 20130101; H05K 13/046 20130101; G06F 3/0354
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
382/103 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/60 20060101
G06K009/60; G06T 5/00 20060101 G06T005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 29, 2013 |
CN |
201310459599.0 |
Claims
1. A light sensing module used in a light sensing system
incorporated with a processor, the light sensing module comprising:
at least one first light source, for emitting light; at least one
first light sensor, for sensing the light emitted by the first
light source, light reflected by an ambient object or ambient
light, in order to obtain a sensing result; a control unit, for
performing image detecting and object identification or ambient
light sensing by computing according to the sensing result, and
generating a computational result; and at least one interrupt
driver, for sending an interrupt signal to the processor in order
to notify the processor to receive the computational result;
wherein the processor disposes a type and a number of the first
light sensor, and configures the control unit accordingly, so that
the control unit performs computation on the sensing result to
generate the computational result.
2. The light sensing module of claim 1, wherein the control unit
further disposes a type and a number of the first light source
according to configurations of the processor.
3. The light sensing module of claim 1, wherein the first light
sensor comprises a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a
color sensor and/or an image sensor.
4. The light sensing module of claim 1, wherein the first light
source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and/or an infrared
LED.
5. The light sensing module of claim 1, further comprising: a light
sensor interface, electrically connected between the control unit
and the first light sensor; and an I/O interface, electrically
connected between the control unit and the first light source and
the interrupt driver.
6. The light sensing module of claim 5, further comprising: a
synchronization device, electrically connected to the I/O
interface, for connecting to another light sensing module in order
to synchronize the light sensing module with the other light
sensing module.
7. The light sensing module of claim 5, further comprising: at
least one light sensor port, electrically connected to the light
sensor interface, for being externally connecting to at least one
second light sensor.
8. The light sensing module of claim 7, wherein the processor
disposes a type and a number of the second light sensor, and
configures the control unit accordingly.
9. The light sensing module of claim 5, further comprising: at
least one light source port, electrically connected to the I/O
interface, for externally connecting to at least one second light
source.
10. The light sensing module of claim 9, wherein the control unit
further disposes a type and a number of the second light source
according to configurations of the processor.
11. The light sensing module of claim 1, wherein the light sensing
module is realized by a system on a chip (SoC) or an integrated
circuit package.
12. A light sensing system, comprising: a processor; and at least
one light sensing module, each light sensing module comprising: at
least one first light source, for emitting light; at least one
first light sensor, for sensing the light emitted by the first
light source, light reflected by an ambient object or ambient
light, in order to obtain a sensing result; a control unit, for
performing image detecting and object identification or ambient
light sensing by computing according to the sensing result, and
generating a computational result; and at least one interrupt
driver, for sending an interrupt signal to the processor in order
to notify the processor to receive the computational result;
wherein the processor disposes a type and a number of the first
light sensor, and configures the control unit accordingly, so that
the control unit performs computation on the sensing result to
generate the computational result.
13. The light sensing system of claim 12, wherein the control unit
further disposes a type and a number of the first light source
according to configurations of the processor.
14. The light sensing system of claim 12, wherein the first light
sensor comprises a proximity sensor, an ambient light sensor, a
color sensor and/or an image sensor.
15. The light sensing system of claim 12, wherein the first light
source comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and/or an infrared
LED.
16. The light sensing system of claim 12, wherein the light sensing
module further comprises: a light sensor interface, electrically
connected between the control unit and the first light sensor; and
an I/O interface, electrically connected between the control unit
and the first light source and the interrupt driver.
17. The light sensing system of claim 16, wherein the light sensing
module further comprises: a synchronization device, electrically
connected to the I/O interface, for connecting to another light
sensing module among the light sensing module, in order to
synchronize the light sensing module with the other light sensing
module.
18. The light sensing system of claim 16, wherein the light sensing
module further comprises: at least one light sensor port,
electrically connected to the light sensor interface, for
externally connecting to at least one second light sensor.
19. The light sensing system of claim 18, wherein the processor
disposes a type and a number of the second light sensor, and
configures the control unit accordingly.
20. The light sensing system of claim 16, wherein the light sensing
module further comprises: at least one light source port,
electrically connected to the I/O interface, for externally
connecting to at least one second light source.
21. The light sensing system of claim 20, wherein the control unit
further disposes a type and a number of the second light source
according to configurations of the processor.
22. The light sensing system of claim 12, wherein the light sensing
module is realized by a system on a chip (SoC) or an integrated
circuit package.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/817,306, filed on Apr. 29, 2013 and entitled
"3D-Motion Gesture/Proximity Detection Module Sensor (MGPS)", the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a light sensing module and
system, and more particularly, to a light sensing module and system
capable of performing image sensing and object identification.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] With advancements in technology, mobile devices such as
smart phones and tablets have become indispensable in our daily
life. Compared with conventional mobile phones that only have
communication functions, modern mobile devices combine various
functions such as communication, networking, photographing, games
and data processing. This type of multifunctional design is more
attractive to consumers.
[0006] Since mobile devices are equipped with diversified
functions, various sensing devices have to be utilized for sensing
peripheral environments in order to perform corresponding
applications. For example, when a user uses the photographing
functions, face recognition techniques are often utilized for
focus. When the user plays a motion sensing game, subtle sensing
devices are required to perform gesture recognition or object
identification. With advancements in three dimensional (3D) display
technology, a mobile device needs more complicated sensing devices
to perform 3D image sensing and processing. Each sensing device in
the current mobile device has a distinctive sensing function,
however, and needs to be operated separately. Presently, there is
no available sensing system which is capable of integrating various
types of sensing devices. Thus, there is a need for improvement
over the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to
provide alight sensing module and system capable of integrating
various image sensors and light sensors, in order to perform
applications such as gesture recognition, face recognition, 3D
display, information security and interactive games, etc.
[0008] The present invention discloses a light sensing module used
in a light sensing system. The light sensing system is incorporated
with a processor. The light sensing module comprises at least one
first light source, for emitting light; at least one first light
sensor, for sensing the light emitted by the first light source,
light reflected by an ambient object or ambient light, in order to
obtain a sensing result; a control unit, for performing image
detecting and object identification or ambient light sensing by
computing according to the sensing result, and generating a
computational result; and at least one interrupt driver, for
sending an interrupt signal to the processor, in order to notify
the processor to receive the computational result; wherein the
processor disposes a type and a number of the first light sensor,
and configures the control unit accordingly, so that the control
unit performs computation on the sensing result to generate the
computational result.
[0009] The present invention further discloses a light sensing
system. The light sensing system comprises a processor; and at
least one light sensing module. One of the light sensing modules
comprises at least one first light source, for emitting light; at
least one first light sensor, for sensing the light emitted by the
first light source, light reflected by an ambient object or ambient
light, in order to obtain a sensing result; a control unit, for
performing image detecting and object identification or ambient
light sensing by computing according to the sensing result, and
generating a computational result; and at least one interrupt
driver, for sending an interrupt signal to the processor, in order
to notify the processor to receive the computational result;
wherein the processor disposes a type and a number of the first
light sensor, and configures the control unit accordingly, so that
the control unit performs computation on the sensing result to
generate the computational result.
[0010] These and other objectives of the present invention will no
doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after
reading the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a light sensing module
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a general light sensing
system.
[0013] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a light sensing module
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a general 3D image sensing
system.
[0015] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a light sensing system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a light sensing system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of a
light sensing module 10 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the light sensing module 10 includes
light sources 102_1-102_X, light sensors 104_1-104_M, light source
ports 106_1-106_Y, light sensor ports 108_1-108_N, a control unit
110, interrupt drivers 112_1-112_Z, a synchronization device 114, a
light sensor interface 116 and an I/O interface 118. The light
sensing module 10 is electrically connected to a processor 120,
which controls the operations of the light sensing module 10. The
light sources 102_1-102_X are utilized for emitting light. The
light may be reflected when reaching an object, and object
identification may be performed accordingly. The light source ports
106_1-106_Y, which are externally connected to external light
sources 130_1-130_Y, respectively, may drive the external light
sources 130_1-130_Y to emit light. The control unit 110 may dispose
the type and number of the light sources 102_1-102_X and the light
source ports 106_1-106_Y according to configurations of the
processor 120. According to system requirements, the user may
dispose more commonly used light sources as the light sources
102_1-102_X, and dispose less used light sources as the external
light sources 130_1-130_Y. The external light sources 130_1-130_Y
are externally connected to the light source ports 106_1-106_Y only
when they are needed, in order to save on area and cost of the
system. The light sensors 104_1-104_M are utilized for detecting
the light emitted by the light sources 102_1-102_X or the external
light sources 130_1-130_Y, as well as light reflected by peripheral
objects or ambient light, in order to obtain a sensing result. The
light sensor ports 108_1-108_N, which are externally connected to
the external light sensors 140_1-140_N, respectively, may be
utilized for transmitting data detected by the external light
sensors 140_1-140_N. Similarly, the processor 120 may arbitrarily
dispose the type and number of the light sensors 104_1-104_M and
the number of the light sensor ports 108_1-108_N. According to
system requirements, the user may dispose more commonly used light
sensors as the light sensors 104_1-104_M, and dispose less used
light sensors as the external light sensors 140_1-140_N. The
external light sensors 140_1-140_N are externally connected to the
light sensor ports 108_1-108_N only when they are needed, in order
to save on area and cost of the system.
[0018] When gesture recognition or object identification is
performed, the light sources 102_1-102_X or the external light
sources 130_1-130_Y may emit light, and the light sensors
104_1-104_M and the external light sensors 140_1-140_N detect the
reflected light. Accordingly, the light sensors 104_1-104_M and the
external light sensors 140_1-140_N may detect locational
information such as the movement or distance of the object, in
order to perform the object identification. The light sources
102_1-102_X and the external light sources 130_1-130_Y may be
composed of various materials or elements which are able to emit
light, e.g. light emitting diodes (LED). In some embodiments, the
light sources 102_1-102_X or the external light sources 130_1-130_Y
may be realized by infrared LEDs, and thus the corresponding light
sensors 104_1-104_M or external light sensors 140_1-140_N have to
be implemented as infrared sensors for performing the detection.
The light sensors 104_1-104_M and the external light sensors
140_1-140_N may include a proximity sensor, ambient light sensor,
color sensor, and image sensor, etc. Different types of detectors
may be implemented for different applications.
[0019] According to the sensing results of the light sensors
104_1-104_M or the external light sensors 140_1-140_N and the
configurations of the processor, the control unit 110 may integrate
the sensing results of various light sensors and perform the image
sensing, object identification or ambient light sensing via
computation in order to generate a computational result. For
example, in order to perform the gesture recognition, the light
sensors 104_1-104_M and the external light sensors 140_1-140_N may
include a proximity sensor and an ambient light sensor. The ambient
light sensor, which may be utilized for detecting the location of a
user's hand, may obtain movement information of the hand via the
locations detected at different time points. The proximity sensor,
which may be utilized for detecting the distance between the hand
and the device, may obtain information related to proximity
movement of the hand via the distances detected at different time
points. The control unit 110 may combine the sensing results
generated from the ambient light sensor and the proximity sensor
and obtain the accurate location and movement of the gesture via
computation, in order to accomplish the gesture recognition. In
another embodiment, the processor 120 may configure the light
sensing module 10 to perform 3D image sensing, and thus the light
sensing module 10 may include two light sensors 104_L and 104_R
located in different locations for simulating the gaze of a user's
left eye and right eye, respectively. The control unit 110 obtains
the sensing results from the light sensors 104_L and 104_R,
respectively, and then performs follow-up operations and processing
by simulating the visual processing analogous to human eyes, in
order to generate the computational results.
[0020] The interrupt drivers 112_1-112_Z are utilized for sending
interrupt signals to the processor 120, in order to notify the
processor 120 to receive the computational results. In general, the
processor 120 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a
microprocessor, or a micro control unit (MCU), etc. The processor
120 may control the operations of the light sensing system and the
light sensing module, and may also be utilized for controlling the
entire operations of the mobile device. In such a condition, the
processor 120 may not dispose all resources for processing data of
the light sensing system or the light sensing module. In order to
prevent the operations of the light sensing module 10 from being
interfered with by the operations of other devices, the light
sensing module 10 may only notify the processor 120 to read the
computational results when the computational results are generated
by the control unit 110. At this moment, the interrupt drivers
112_1-112_Z may be utilized for sending interrupt signals. After
the processor 120 receives an interrupt signal, the processor 120
may learn that the control unit 110 obtains a specific
computational result and dispose resources for receiving the
result. If the processor 120 does not receive any interrupt
signals, the processor 120 may dispose the resources for other
devices, and thus may not need to keep detecting or monitoring the
control unit 110. As a result, the resources of the processor 120
may be utilized more efficiently. For example, when gesture
recognition is performed, the system is triggered due to variations
in the gesture; hence the interrupt drivers 112_1-112_Z may need to
send an interrupt signal to notify the processor 120 to receive
data only when the gesture varies.
[0021] The synchronization device 114 of the light sensing module
10 is utilized for connecting other light sensing modules. In
general, alight sensing system may include at least one light
sensing module, each of which has light sources and light sensors.
When a light sensing system includes a plurality of light sensing
modules, the processor 120 has to execute operations corresponding
to the sensing results generated by these light sensing modules.
Please note that the data outputted by different light sensing
modules have to be synchronized. In such a condition, the
synchronization device 114 may be connected to other light sensing
modules and utilized for synchronizing the output data generated
from each light sensing module, so that the control device 110 may
effectively integrate the output data of each light sensing module.
For example, in the above embodiment of 3D image sensing, the light
sensors for simulating the left eye and the right eye may be
implemented by two different light sensing modules. The light
sensing system may integrate the data generated from these two
light sensors. The synchronization device then performs
synchronization and outputs the data to the processor 120, in order
to achieve 3D image sensing.
[0022] The light sensor interface 116 and the I/O interface 118,
which are utilized as connection interfaces of the light sensing
module 10, are electrically connected between the control unit 110
and each device of the light sensing module 10. As shown in FIG. 1,
one terminal of the light sensor interface 116 is connected to the
control unit 110, and the other terminal of the light sensor
interface 116 is connected to the light sensors 104_1-104_M and the
light sensor ports 108_1-108_N. The light sensor interface 116
provides a medium for signal transmission so that the control unit
110 may control the operations of the light sensors 104_1-104_M and
the external light sensors 140_1-140_N and receive the sensing
results generated from the light sensors 104_1-104_M and the
external light sensors 140_1-140_N. One terminal of the I/O
interface 118 is connected to the control unit 110, and the other
terminal of the I/O interface 118 is connected to the light sources
102_1-102_X, the light source ports 106_1-106_Y, the interrupt
drivers 112_1-112_Z and the synchronization device 114. The I/O
interface 118 provides a medium for signal transmission so that the
control unit 110 may drive the operations of the light sources
102_1-102_X and the light source ports 106_1-106_Y, and control the
interrupt drivers 112_1-112_Z to send interrupt signals and control
the synchronization operations of the synchronization device 114.
Please note that the implementation of the light sensor interface
116 and the I/O interface 118 described here is only one of various
embodiments of the connection interface. The control unit 110 may
be connected to other devices through other types of interfaces or
in other manners, and should not be limited herein.
[0023] When the light sensing module 10 is operated, the processor
120 may dispose the type and number of the light sensors
104_1-104_M and the external light sensors 140_1-140_N according to
system requirements, and configure various parameters of all light
sensors such as resolution and sensing frequency. The processor 120
then controls the control unit 110 to perform corresponding
settings such as the strength of output signals, the type of output
signals and the strength of driving signals according to the above
configurations. In several embodiments (e.g. an object
identification application), when a light source is required, the
control unit 110 may distribute the types and numbers of the light
sources 102_1-102_X and the external light sources 130_1-130_Y. The
control unit 110 then timely drives the light sources 102_1-102_X
or the external light sources 130_1-130_Y for corresponding
applications. After the control unit 110 obtains the sensing
results, the control unit 110 may perform computation or analysis
on the sensing results according to the above settings, in order to
convert the sensing results into computational results which will
be outputted to the processor 120. For example, when gesture
recognition is performed, the sensing results generated by the
light sensors 104_1-104_M or the external light sensors 140_1-140_N
may be the location of the user's hand at each time point, and the
computational results generated via the computation or analysis of
the control unit 110 may be meaningful gestures, such as zooming,
page turning and moving.
[0024] Please note that the present invention may integrate various
image sensors and light sensors, in order to implement various
applications such as gesture recognition, face recognition, 3D
imaging, information security and interactive games. Those skilled
in the art can make modifications and alternations accordingly. For
example, the types and numbers of the abovementioned light sources
102_1-102_X, external light sources 130_1-130_Y, light sensors
104_1-104_M and external light sensors 140_1-140_N may arbitrarily
be adjusted according to system requirements. In the process of
sensing, such modules or devices may also be adjusted dynamically
according to the variations of the sensing mode. The light sensing
module 10 may be realized in different ways. In an embodiment, the
light sensing module 10 may be realized by a system on a chip
(SoC), where the cost of the light sensing modules may be
significantly reduced when the light sensing modules are integrated
into a single chip. In an embodiment, if the system is utilized for
sensing 3D images and needs multiple light sensing points, alight
sensing system having multiple light sensing modules may be
utilized, and each light sensing module may be realized by an SoC.
As a result, the light sensing system may still achieve diversified
functions even when the cost is limited. The light sensing module
10 may be realized inside any type of integrated circuit (IC)
packages, and is not limited herein.
[0025] Please refer to FIG. 2A, which is a schematic diagram of a
general light sensing system 20A. As shown in FIG. 2A, the light
sensing system 20A includes light sensors 202, 204 and light
sources 206, 208. The light sensing system 20A is electrically
connected to a processor 220, which controls the operations of the
light sensing system 20A. The light sensor 202 and the light source
206 may co-operate to perform various light sensing functions, and
the light sensor 204 and the light source 208 may also co-operate
to perform light sensing functions. In comparison, the present
invention may integrate various light sensors and light sources
into a light sensing module. Please refer to FIG. 2B, which is a
schematic diagram of a light sensing module 20B according to an
embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2B, the light
sensors 202 and 204 may be integrated into the light sensing module
20B. If the light sources 206 and 208 are utilized for emitting
light having the same frequency, only one light source (e.g. the
light source 206) is needed in the light sensing module 20B to
realize light sensing functions of both light sensors 202 and 204.
According to the integration of the light sensing module 20B, at
least two benefits can be achieved. The number of light sources may
be reduced, which reduces the area and cost of the system. The
processor 220 may not need to process the operations of multiple
light sensors simultaneously. Since a control unit (not
illustrated) of the light sensing module 20B may integrate the
sensing results generated by all light sensors in the light sensing
module 20B, the processor 220 may only need to communicate with the
control unit, which significantly reduces the load of the processor
220. In addition, the light sensing module 20B may also be realized
by an SoC, which further reduces the cost.
[0026] Please refer to FIG. 3A, which is a schematic diagram of a
general 3D image sensing system 30A. As shown in FIG. 3A, the 3D
image sensing system 30A includes light sensors 302, 304 and light
sources 306, 308. The 3D image sensing system 30A is electrically
connected to a processor 320, which controls the operations of the
3D image sensing system 30A. The light sensor 302 and the light
source 306 may co-operate to simulate the gaze of a user's left
eye, and the light sensor 304 and the light source 308 may
co-operate to simulate the gaze of a user's right eye. The
processor 320 is electrically connected to both the light sensors
302 and 304, in order to perform the synchronization between the
light sensors 302 and 304. In comparison, according to the light
sensing modules and systems of the present invention, the light
sensing modules may be synchronized with each other via a
synchronization device. Please refer to FIG. 3B, which is a
schematic diagram of a light sensing system 30B according to an
embodiment of the present invention. When performing 3D image
simulation, different light sensing modules may be utilized for
simulating the gaze of the user's left eye and right eye,
respectively. As shown in FIG. 3B, the light sensing system 30B
includes light sensing modules 300 and 310. In the light sensing
module 300, the light sensor 302 and the light source 306 may
co-operate to simulate the gaze of the user's left eye. The light
sensing module 300 further includes a synchronization device 340,
which is utilized for performing synchronization. In the light
sensing module 310, the light sensor 304 and the light source 308
may co-operate to simulate the gaze of the user's right eye. The
light sensing module 310 further includes a synchronization device
350, which is utilized for performing synchronization. The
synchronization device 340 is electrically connected to the
synchronization device 350, in order to transmit synchronizing
signals between the two for performing synchronization. As a
result, the synchronization may be performed inside the light
sensing system 30B, so that the processor 320 may not have to
process the synchronization between different light sensors. This
significantly reduces the load of the processor 320.
[0027] Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of
alight sensing system 40 according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the light sensing system 40 includes
a light sensing module 400, which is utilized for performing face
recognition. The light sensing module 400 includes a light sensor
402, a light source 404 and a light source port 406. The light
sensing module 400 is electrically connected to a processor 420,
which controls the operations of the light sensing module 400. As
mentioned above, the light sensing modules of the present invention
may be selectively connected to external light sensors or external
light sources via light sensor ports or light source ports, which
increases the flexibility in the usage of light sensors or light
sources. For the light sensing module 400 that performs face
recognition, a greater light source should sometimes be utilized;
hence, a larger light source 408 may be externally connected to the
light source port 406, wherein the light source 408 may be turned
on when in use, and turned off or removed when not in use. As a
result, the flexibility of using the light sources may be
increased. When the larger or less used light source 408 is
externally connected, the size and cost of the light sensing module
400 may also be reduced.
[0028] In addition to possessing the abovementioned benefits, the
embodiment of the present invention may also realize wider
applications such as information security or games. For performing
information security, the user may predefine a specific gesture as
a password to turn on a mobile device, or utilize more complex
procedures such as eyeball identification or fingerprint
identification to perform information security. For the games
application, especially motion sensing games, the gestures and
actions of the user may be detected to achieve the interaction. In
other applications, the light sensing module of the present
invention may also be considered as a human-based input interface,
e.g. the user may use gestures to simulate movements of a mouse.
Any types of applications related to devices or elements for image
identification or optical sensing may all be included in the light
sensing modules or light sensing systems of the present invention,
and is not limited herein.
[0029] In the prior art, each sensing device in the mobile device
has a distinctive sensing function and is operated separately.
There is no available sensing system capable of integrating various
types of sensing devices. In comparison, the present invention
provides a light sensing module and system, which are capable of
integrating various image sensors and light sensors, in order to
perform applications such as gesture recognition, face recognition,
3D display, information security and interactive games, etc.
[0030] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous
modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made
while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the
above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes
and bounds of the appended claims.
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