Ambient light sensing device and method, and interactive device using same

Abstract

The invention provides an ambient light sensing device which receives at least one visible light image sensed by an image sensor. The ambient light sensing device includes an image sampling unit and an analyzing unit. The image sampling unit divides the visible light image into plural image blocks, extracts at least one sample data in each image block, and generates a comparison data according to a difference between the sample data extracted at different time points. The analyzing unit analyzes the comparison data and generates an output analysis signal accordingly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ambient light sensing device for receiving at least one visible light image sensed by an image sensor, comprising:
 an image sampling unit, for dividing the visible light image into a plurality of image blocks, extracting at least one sample data in each image block, and generating a comparison data according to a difference between the sample data extracted at different time points; and   an analyzing unit, for analyzing the comparison data and generating an output analysis signal accordingly.   
     
     
         2 . The ambient light sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the visible light image is divided into the plurality of image blocks of a uniform size or of sizes in proportion to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The ambient light sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the sample data includes at least one green sub-pixel data, and the image sampling unit generates the comparison data according to the green sub-pixel data. 
     
     
         4 . The ambient light sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the sample data is generated according to brightness. 
     
     
         5 . The ambient light sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the visible light image includes a plurality of pixel data and each pixel data includes a plurality of sub-pixel data, and the sample data is generated according to brightness, color temperature, contrast, image pattern, a number or shape of a group of pixels having a predefined color or meeting a predefined condition, or a number or shape of a group of sub-pixels having a predefined color or meeting a predefined condition. 
     
     
         6 . The ambient light sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the ambient light sensing device is disposed in an interactive device and the analyzing unit generates the output analysis signal according to the comparison data and a status of the interactive device. 
     
     
         7 . The ambient light sensing device of  claim 1 , wherein the output analysis signal includes one or more of the followings:
 a flip signal, a proximity signal, an ambient brightness signal, a gesture signal, a device motion signal, and a device shaking signal.   
     
     
         8 . An interactive device, comprising:
 an image sensor, for providing a camera function for the interactive device to generate an image according to ambient light; and   an ambient light sensing device, for extracting at least one sample data in the image, generating a comparison data according to a difference between the sample data extracted at different time points, and analyzing the comparison data to generate an output analysis signal accordingly.   
     
     
         9 . The interactive device of  claim 8 , wherein the ambient light sensing device divides the image into a plurality of image blocks and extracting at least one sample data in each image block. 
     
     
         10 . The interactive device of  claim 8 , wherein the image includes a plurality of pixel data and each pixel data includes a plurality of sub-pixel data, and the sample data is generated according to brightness, color temperature, contrast, image pattern, a number or shape of a group of pixels having a predefined color or meeting a predefined condition, or a number or shape of a group of sub-pixels having a predefined color or meeting a predefined condition. 
     
     
         11 . The interactive device of  claim 9 , wherein the image includes a plurality of pixel data and each pixel data includes a plurality of sub-pixel data, and the sample data is generated according to brightness, color temperature, contrast, image pattern, a number or shape of a group of pixels having a predefined color or meeting a predefined condition, or a number or shape of a group of sub-pixels having a predefined color or meeting a predefined condition. 
     
     
         12 . The interactive device of  claim 8 , wherein the image sensor includes a plurality of pixels and each pixel includes a plurality of sub-pixels for sensing a visible light image, and wherein the sample data includes at least one sub-pixel data. 
     
     
         13 . The interactive device of  claim 8 , wherein the ambient light sensing device generates the output analysis signal according to the comparison data and a status of the interactive device. 
     
     
         14 . The interactive device of  claim 8 , wherein the output analysis signal includes one or more of the followings: a flip signal, a proximity signal, an ambient brightness signal, a gesture signal, a device motion signal, and a device shaking signal. 
     
     
         15 . A method of sensing ambient light, comprising:
 obtaining an image according to ambient light by an image sensor provided in an interactive device for a camera function;   extracting at least one sample data in the image;   generating a comparison data according to a difference between the sample data extracted at different time points; and   analyzing the comparison data to generate an output analysis signal accordingly.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of extracting at least one sample data in the image includes:
 dividing the image into a plurality of image blocks and extracting at least one sample data in each image block.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the image includes a plurality of pixel data and each pixel data includes a plurality of sub-pixel data, and the sample data is generated according to brightness, color temperature, contrast, image pattern, a number or shape of a group of pixels having a predefined color or meeting a predefined condition, or a number or shape of a group of sub-pixels having a predefined color or meeting a predefined condition. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of analyzing the comparison data to generate an output analysis signal includes:
 generating the output analysis signal according to the comparison data and a status of the interactive device.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the output analysis signal includes one or more of the followings: a flip signal, a proximity signal, an ambient brightness signal, a gesture signal, a device motion signal, and a device shaking signal. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 performing a function of the interactive device according to the output analysis signal.