Display device control based on integrated ambient light detection and lighting source characteristics

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for a display device including one or more methods for modifying the display brightness by automatically adapting to ambient lighting conditions. A light sensor may measure the ambient light. Ambient light detection may be provided without requiring an additional opening in the device housing to support such detection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having a rear surface and sidewall surfaces that extend from the rear surface;   a display mounted in the housing; and   a light sensor mounted in the housing, wherein the light sensor is between the rear surface and the display and wherein the light sensor receives light through the display.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a touch sensor layer that overlaps the display.   
     
     
         3 . The electronic device defined in  claim 2 , wherein the display is interposed between the touch sensor layer and the light sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the light sensor is part of an array of light sensors that receive light through the display. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , wherein the light sensor comprises an ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device defined in  claim 5 , wherein the ambient light sensor detects ambient light conditions and adjusts a brightness level of the display based on the ambient light conditions. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a printed circuit board mounted in the housing, wherein the printed circuit board is interposed between the rear surface and the light sensor.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the light sensor during a sensing interval, wherein the display does not emit light during the sensing interval.   
     
     
         9 . A cellular telephone having a front face and an opposing rear face, the cellular telephone comprising:
 a housing having a rear surface at the rear face and sidewall surfaces that extend from the rear surface towards the front face;   a display mounted in the housing at the front face; and   a light sensor mounted in the housing, wherein the light sensor is between the rear surface and the display and wherein the light sensor receives light through the display.   
     
     
         10 . The cellular telephone defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a touch sensor layer that overlaps the display.   
     
     
         11 . The cellular telephone defined in  claim 10 , wherein the display is interposed between the touch sensor layer and the light sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The cellular telephone defined in  claim 9 , wherein the light sensor is part of an array of light sensors that receive light through the display. 
     
     
         13 . The cellular telephone defined in  claim 9 , wherein the light sensor comprises an ambient light sensor that senses ambient light and wherein the ambient light follows a path through the display to reach the ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The cellular telephone defined in  claim 13 , wherein the ambient light sensor detects ambient light conditions and adjusts a brightness level of the display based on the ambient light conditions. 
     
     
         15 . The cellular telephone defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a printed circuit board mounted in the housing, wherein the printed circuit board is interposed between the rear surface and the light sensor.   
     
     
         16 . The cellular telephone defined in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the light sensor during a sensing interval, wherein the display does not emit light during the sensing interval.   
     
     
         17 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having a rear surface and sidewall surfaces that extend from the rear surface;   a display mounted in the housing;   an array of light sensors mounted in the housing, wherein the array of light sensors is between the rear surface and the display and wherein the array of light sensors receives light through the display;   a touch sensor layer that overlaps the display, wherein the display is interposed between the touch sensor layer and the array of light sensors; and   a printed circuit board mounted in the housing, wherein the array of light sensors is interposed between the printed circuit board and the display   
     
     
         18 . The electronic device defined in  claim 17 , wherein the array of light sensors comprises an array of ambient light sensors that sense ambient light and wherein the ambient light follows a path through the display to reach the array of ambient light sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic device defined in  claim 18 , wherein the array of ambient light sensors detects ambient light conditions and adjusts a brightness level of the display based on the ambient light conditions. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic device defined in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a processor configured to receive a sensor signal from the array of light sensors during a sensing interval, wherein the display does not emit light during the sensing interval.