CN113892860A

CN113892860A - Electronic device capable of judging contamination degree

Info

Publication number: CN113892860A
Application number: CN202110671373.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王聪法; 赖鸿庆; 王国振
Original assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc
Current assignee: Pixart Imaging Inc
Priority date: 2020-06-22
Filing date: 2021-06-17
Publication date: 2022-01-07

Abstract

The invention discloses an electronic device, comprising: a first light source for emitting a first light; a second light source for emitting a second light; a first optical sensor for sensing first optical data generated based on reflected light of the first light; a light guide for receiving the second light; and a second optical sensor for sensing second optical data generated based on the reflected light of the second light. The electronic device disclosed by the invention can automatically judge the dirt degree of the light guide device, and a user does not need to frequently check whether the cover is clean.

Description

Electronic device capable of judging contamination degree

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electronic device capable of automatically determining a contamination level, and more particularly, to an electronic device capable of automatically determining a contamination level according to optical data.

Background

With advances in technology, automatic sweepers (e.g., sweeping robots) have become increasingly popular. Automatic cleaners typically have an image sensor for capturing images. According to the images, the automatic cleaning machine can judge the position of the automatic cleaning machine. However, if the automatic cleaning machine is operated for a certain period of time, a cover for protecting the image sensor may become dirty, which may affect the position determination of the automatic cleaning machine.

The existing automatic sweeper does not provide a suitable solution to this problem, and therefore, the user must clean the cover often, or wait until the automatic sweeper is not operating properly until the cover is known to be clean.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, an objective of the present invention is to disclose an electronic device capable of determining a contamination level.

Another objective of the present invention is to disclose an optical navigation device capable of determining the contamination level.

An embodiment of the present invention discloses an electronic device, including: a first light source for emitting a first light; a second light source for emitting a second light; a first optical sensor for sensing first optical data generated based on reflected light of the first light; a light guide for receiving the second light; and a second optical sensor for sensing second optical data generated based on the reflected light of the second light.

Another embodiment of the present invention discloses an electronic device, including: a first light source for emitting a first light; a second light source for emitting a second light; a light guide for receiving the second light; and an optical sensor for sensing first optical data generated based on the reflected light of the first light and for sensing second optical data generated based on the reflected light of the second light.

Another embodiment of the present invention discloses an electronic device, including: a first light source for emitting a first light; an optical element positioned in an emission path of the first light, wherein at least a portion of the first light penetrates the optical element; and an optical sensor for sensing first optical data generated based on a reflected light of the first light, wherein the reflected light of the first light is reflected by the optical element and emitted onto the optical sensor.

According to the foregoing embodiments, the electronic device disclosed in the present invention can automatically determine the degree of contamination of the light guide device. If the electronic device is an optical navigation device, the electronic device can automatically judge the dirt degree of the cover of the optical sensor. Therefore, the user does not need to frequently check whether the cover is clean.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device capable of determining a contamination level according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detailed structure of the electronic device shown in fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic device capable of determining a contamination level according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detailed structure of the electronic device shown in fig. 3 according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the automatic sweeping machine disclosed in the present invention.

Wherein the reference numerals are as follows:

100, 200, 300 electronic device

500 automatic cleaning machine

L _1 first light

L _2 second light

LS _1 first light Source

LS _2, LS _21, LS _22 second light source

Ca container

LG light guide device

OC optical element

OS _1 first optical sensor

OS _2 second optical sensor

OS optical sensor

P processing circuit

Sr surface

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in terms of various embodiments, and it is also noted that the elements of the various embodiments can be implemented in hardware (e.g., a device or circuit) or firmware (e.g., at least one program written in a microprocessor). Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like in the following description are used merely to define various elements, parameters, materials, signals, or steps. And are not intended to be limiting.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic device 100 capable of determining a contamination level according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 1, the electronic device 100 includes a first light source LS _1, a second light source LS _2, a first optical sensor OS _1, a second optical sensor OS _2, a light guide LG and a processing circuit P. The light source LS _1 is configured to emit first light L _ 1. The second light source LS _2 is used to emit second light L _ 2. The first optical sensor OS _1 is used for sensing first optical data (e.g., an image or any other optical data with optical characteristics) generated based on the reflected light of the first light L _ 1. The light guide LG is used for receiving the second light L _ 2. The second optical sensor OS _2 is used for sensing second optical data (e.g., an image with optical characteristics or any other optical data) generated based on the second light L _2 emitted by the light guide LG.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 is an optical navigation device, such as an automatic sweeper (or referred to as a sweeping robot), an optical touch sensing device or an optical mouse, and the first optical data is used to determine the motion of the electronic device. For example, the optical mouse can calculate the movement of the optical mouse according to different images through its image sensor. The detailed steps for determining motion based on optical data are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described herein for brevity.

In an embodiment, the processing circuit P may determine the degree of contamination of the light guide LG according to the second light L _2 emitted from the light guide LG. For example, the processing circuit P may determine the degree of soiling from the brightness level of the second optical data generated on the basis of the second light L _2 emitted by the light guide LG. In an embodiment, the second light L _2 emitted by the light guide LG may be blocked by a material (e.g., dust) on the light guide LG. Therefore, in this case, if the brightness level of the second optical data is lower than the brightness threshold, the processing circuit P determines that the contamination level is higher than the contamination threshold. However, in another embodiment, the smudging on the light guide LG may enhance the second light L _2 emitted by the light guide LG. Therefore, in this case, if the brightness level of the second optical data is higher than the brightness threshold, the processing circuit P determines that the contamination level is higher than the contamination threshold.

In addition, in one embodiment, the processing circuit P can determine the contamination level according to the light pattern formed by the second optical data. For example, the light pattern produced by a clean light guide LG may be recorded in advance. If there is a material, such as oil, on the light guide LG, the light pattern will change. Thus, the processing circuit P can determine the degree of soiling by comparing the existing light pattern with the pre-recorded light pattern.

In addition, in the aforementioned embodiment, since the first optical sensor OS _1 for sensing the first optical data and the second optical sensor OS _2 for sensing the second optical data are two different optical sensors, the first light L _1 and the second light L _2 can be simultaneously emitted. However, the first light L _1 and the second light L _2 may not be emitted at the same time.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detailed structure of the electronic device shown in fig. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 2, the electronic device 200 further includes an optical component OC in addition to the first light source LS _1, the second light source LS _2, the first optical sensor OS _1, the second optical sensor OS _2, the light guide LG and the processing circuit P shown in fig. 2. The optical element OC is disposed on an emission path of the first light L _ 1. Also, when light is emitted to the optical element OC, the optical element OC may pass a portion of the light and reflect a portion of the light. Therefore, when the light source LS _1 emits the first light L _1 to the optical element OC, a part of the first light L _1 passes through the optical element OC, the light guide LG, and is emitted to the surface Sr (e.g., the ground or the table). In this way, the first optical sensor OS _1 can sense the reflected light of the first light L _1, thereby sensing the first optical data.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in fig. 2, the light guide LG receives the second light L _2 from the second light source LS _2, and the second optical sensor OS _2 can sense the second light L _2 emitted from the light guide LG, so that the second optical data can be sensed.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of fig. 2, the electronic device 200 further comprises a container Ca, which may comprise at least one of the following elements: the light source device comprises a first light source LS _1, a second light source LS _2, a first optical sensor OS _1, a second optical sensor OS _2, a light guide LG and a processing circuit P. In the embodiment shown in fig. 2, in addition to the processing circuit P, the first light source LS _1, the second light source LS _2, the first optical sensor OS _1, the second optical sensor OS _2 and the light guide LG are contained in a container. Further, the light guide LG is a lid of the container Ca. With such a structure, the elements in the container Ca can be protected by the container Ca and the light guide LG.

However, it should be noted that the arrangement of the elements shown in fig. 1 is not limited to the arrangement shown in fig. 2. Any arrangement which is calculated to perform the same function is intended to be within the scope of the invention.

The number of light sources and optical sensors is not limited to the embodiments shown in fig. 1 and 2. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an electronic device 300 capable of determining a contamination level according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 3, the electronic device 300 includes a first light source LS _1, at least one second light source (two second light sources LS _21, LS _22 in the embodiment of fig. 3), a light guide LG, an optical sensor OS and a processing circuit P.

The first light source LS _1 is configured to emit first light L _ 1. The second light sources LS _21, LS _22 are configured to emit second light L _ 2. The light guide LG is used for receiving the second light L _ 2. The optical sensor OS is used for sensing a first optical data generated based on the reflected light of the first light L _1 and sensing a second optical data generated based on the second light L _2 emitted by the light guide LG.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a detailed structure of the electronic device shown in fig. 3 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in fig. 4, the electronic device 400 further includes an optical component OC in addition to the first light source LS _1, the second light source LS _21, LS _22, the optical sensor OS, the light guide LG and the processing circuit P shown in fig. 3. The optical element OC is disposed on an emission path of the first light L _ 1. Also, when light is emitted to the optical element OC, part of the light may be passed and reflected. Therefore, when the light source LS _1 emits the first light L _1 to the optical element OC, a part of the first light L _1 passes through the optical element OC, the light guide LG, and is emitted to the surface Sr (e.g., the ground or the table). In this way, the optical sensor OS can sense the reflected light of the first light L _1, thereby sensing the first optical data.

In addition, in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the light guide LG receives the second light L _2 from the second light sources LS _21 and LS _22, and the optical sensor OS can sense the second light L _2 emitted from the light guide LG, so that the second optical data can be sensed. Since the electronic device 400 in fig. 4 uses a single optical sensor OS to sense the first optical data and the second optical data. Thus, in an embodiment, the first light and the second light are not emitted simultaneously.

According to the foregoing embodiments, detailed operations of the embodiments shown in fig. 3 and fig. 4 can be obtained, and are not described herein again.

As mentioned above, the

electronic devices

100, 200, 300, 400 illustrated in fig. 1 to 4 may be optical navigation devices. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the automatic sweeping machine disclosed in the present invention. As shown in fig. 5, the automatic cleaning machine 500 includes a container Ca including a first light source LS _1, a second light source LS _2, a first optical sensor OS _1 and a second optical sensor OS _2 provided therein. As described above, the first optical sensor OS _1 senses the first optical data for determining the movement of the automatic cleaner 500, and the second optical sensor OS _2 senses the second optical data for determining the degree of contamination of the light guide device. Other types of optical navigation devices may also use this mechanism. However, the structures shown in fig. 1-4 can be applied to any other electronic devices, and are not limited to the optical navigation device.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

a first light source for emitting a first light;

a second light source for emitting a second light;

a first optical sensor for sensing first optical data generated based on reflected light of the first light;

a light guide for receiving the second light; and

a second optical sensor for sensing second optical data generated based on the reflected light of the second light.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the second optical data is used to determine a contamination level of the light guide device.

3. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising a processing circuit, wherein if the brightness level of the second optical data is lower than a brightness threshold, the processing circuit determines that the contamination level is higher than a contamination threshold.

4. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising a processing circuit, wherein if the brightness level of the second optical data is higher than a brightness threshold, the processing circuit determines that the contamination level is higher than a contamination threshold.

5. The electronic device of claim 2, further comprising a processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit determines the degree of contamination according to the light pattern formed by the second optical data.

6. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the electronic device is an optical navigation device and the first optical data is used to determine the motion of the electronic device.

7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the electronic device is an automatic sweeper, an optical mouse, or an optical touch sensing device.

8. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising a container, wherein the first light source, the second light source, the first optical detector, or the second optical detector are located in the container, and the light guide is a lid of the container.

9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first light and the second light are emitted simultaneously.

10. An electronic device, comprising:

a first light source for emitting a first light;

a second light source for emitting a second light;

a light guide for receiving the second light; and

an optical sensor for sensing first optical data generated based on the reflected light of the first light and for sensing second optical data generated based on the reflected light of the second light.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the second optical data is used to determine a contamination level of the light guide device.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising a processing circuit, wherein if the brightness level of the second optical data is lower than a brightness threshold, the processing circuit determines that the contamination level is higher than a contamination threshold.

13. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising a processing circuit, wherein if the brightness level of the second optical data is higher than a brightness threshold, the processing circuit determines that the contamination level is higher than a contamination threshold.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising a processing circuit, wherein the processing circuit determines the degree of contamination according to the light pattern formed by the second optical data.

15. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is an optical navigation device and the first optical data is used to determine the motion of the electronic device.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is an automatic sweeper, an optical mouse, or an optical touch sensing device.

17. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a container, wherein the first light source, the second light source, the first optical detector, or the second optical detector are located in the container, and the light guide is a lid of the container.

18. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first light and the second light are not simultaneously emitted.

19. An electronic device, comprising:

a first light source for emitting a first light;

an optical element positioned in an emission path of the first light, wherein at least a portion of the first light penetrates the optical element; and

an optical sensor for sensing first optical data generated based on a reflected light of the first light, wherein the reflected light of the first light is reflected by the optical element and emitted onto the optical sensor.