US 8,508,465 B2Granted

Multiple orientation mobile electronic handheld device and method of ambient light sensing and backlight adjustment implemented therein

AssigneeResearch In Motion Limited

InventorsAntanas Matthew Broga, Bergen Albert Fletcher, James Alexander Robinson, Thomas James Crugnale

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Abstract

A method is set forth for automatically adjusting display brightness on a mobile electronic device having a light sensor, display screen and orientation sensor, for legibility under varying lighting conditions and orientations of the device. The method includes obtaining light level samples from the light sensor, and orientation from the orientation sensor, and adjusting backlight intensity of the display responsive to the light level samples and orientation of the device. Preferably, backlight adjustments are made from dim to bright notwithstanding orientation of the device whereas adjustments from bright to dim are made only for orientations of the device where the light sensor is unlikely to be covered.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for automatically adjusting backlight brightness on a mobile electronic device capable of operating in a DIM mode, an OFFICE mode and a BRIGHT mode, said device having a light sensor, an orientation sensor and a display, the method comprising:

obtaining light level samples from said light sensor;
determining orientation of said device;
and
in the event said backlight brightness is in one of either OFFICE mode or BRIGHT mode, and the median value of said samples is less than a first threshold value and said device is in a first orientation, then adjusting the backlight intensity of said display to said DIM mode, wherein the backlight intensity of said display in said DIM mode is less than said backlight intensity in said OFFICE mode, and the backlight intensity of said display in said OFFICE mode is less than said backlight intensity in said BRIGHT mode,
in the event said backlight brightness is in one of either OFFICE mode or BRIGHT mode, and the median value of said samples is less than a first threshold value and said device is in another orientation then continuing operation in said OFFICE mode;
in the event said backlight brightness is in DIM mode and the median value of said samples is greater than a second threshold value then adjusting the backlight intensity of said display to said OFFICE mode;
in the event said backlight brightness is in BRIGHT mode and the median value of said samples is greater than said first threshold value and less than a third threshold value, then adjusting the backlight intensity of said display to said OFFICE mode;
and
in the event said backlight brightness is in one of either said DIM mode or said OFFICE mode and the median value of said samples is greater than a fourth threshold value, then adjusting the backlight intensity of said display to said BRIGHT mode.

6 more elements

A mobile electronic device, comprising:

a light sensor;
an orientation sensor;
a display;
and
a processor connected to said light sensor, said display and said orientation sensor for
obtaining light level samples from said light sensor;
determining orientation of said device from said orientation sensor;
and
in the event said backlight brightness is in one of either OFFICE mode or BRIGHT mode, and the median value of said samples is less than a first threshold value and said device is in a first orientation, then adjusting the backlight intensity of said display to said DIM mode, wherein the backlight intensity of said display in said DIM mode is less than said backlight intensity in said OFFICE mode, and the backlight intensity of said display in said OFFICE mode is less than said backlight intensity in said BRIGHT mode,
in the event said backlight brightness is in one of either OFFICE mode or BRIGHT mode, and the median value of said samples is less than a first threshold value and said device is in another orientation then continuing operation in said OFFICE mode;
in the event said backlight brightness is in DIM mode and the median value of said samples is greater than a second threshold value then adjusting the backlight intensity of said display to said OFFICE mode;
in the event said backlight brightness is in BRIGHT mode and the median value of said samples is greater than said first threshold value and less than a third threshold value, then adjusting the backlight intensity of said display to said OFFICE mode;
and
in the event said backlight brightness is in one of either said DIM mode or said OFFICE mode and the median value of said samples is greater than a fourth threshold value, then adjusting the backlight intensity of said display to said BRIGHT mode.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/612,725Filed 5 Nov 2009
Published: US 2011/0102451 A15 May 2011
Granted: 13 Aug 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G09G 3/3406
By control of light from an independent source: control of illumination source
G09G 5/10
Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators: intensity circuits
G09G 2320/0626
Adjustment of display parameters: for control of overall brightness
G09G 2340/0492
Changes in size, position or resolution of an image: change of orientation of the displayed image, e.g. upside-down, mirrored