Methods, systems, and apparatuses for preventing moisture accumulation on a display screen

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a method for operating a display screen in an electronic device. The method includes detecting an event on the display screen of the electronic device based on an input received from a plurality of sensors in the display screen. Further, the method includes identifying one or more first areas on the display screen based on the detected event. Furthermore, the method includes altering one or more electric currents supplied to one or more photo transmitters associated with the one or more identified first areas of the display screen, wherein the one or more photo transmitters is configured to generate heat in the one or more identified first areas.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Indian Patent Application No. 201811026194 filed on Jul. 13, 2018, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with conventional electronic device. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present disclosure, many examples of which are described in detail herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to an electronic device and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for preventing moisture accumulation on a display screen of the electronic device.

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose an electronic device that includes a display screen. The display screen includes a plurality of photo transmitters. Additionally, the display screen includes a plurality of first sensors configured to detect one or more touch inputs from an operator of the electronic device through the display screen. The electronic device further includes a processor communicatively coupled to the display screen. The processor is configured to generate a display screen usage pattern based at least in part on the touch input and/or one or more first signals detected by the plurality of first sensors. Further, the processor is configured to identify one or more first areas on the display screen based on at least the display screen usage pattern. Additionally, the processor is configured to alter one or more electric currents supplied to one or more photo transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters associated with the one or more first areas, causing the one or more photo transmitters to generate heat in the one or more first areas.

In some embodiments, the display screen further comprises a plurality of second sensors positioned among the plurality of photo transmitters and configured to generate a plurality of second signals indicative of moisture accumulation on the display screen. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to generate a moisture accumulation pattern based at least in part on the plurality of second signals generated by the plurality of second sensors, wherein the one or more first areas on the display screen are identified based on the moisture accumulation pattern. In some embodiments, the moisture accumulation pattern indicates one or more second areas on the display screen, wherein the processor has historically determined moisture accumulation in the one or more second areas on the display screen.

In some embodiments, the plurality of second sensors are a plurality of light sensors, wherein each of the plurality of second signals is indicative of a transmissivity measurement or a reflectivity measurement of a corresponding measurement area on the display screen. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to determine that the transmissivity measurement of the corresponding measurement area satisfies a transmissivity threshold; and identify the corresponding measurement area as one of the one or more first areas.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to: determine that the reflectivity measurement of the corresponding measurement area satisfies a reflectivity threshold; and identify the corresponding measurement area as one of the one or more first areas. In some embodiments, the plurality of first sensors are a plurality of touch screen sensors.

In some embodiments, the display screen usage pattern indicates one or more third areas on the display screen, wherein the one or more third areas have historically received touch inputs as detected by the plurality of first sensors.

In some embodiments, the electronic device further comprises a temperature sensor communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to determine a temperature of an ambient environment around the display screen. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to: determine that the temperature of the ambient environment satisfies a temperature threshold; and determine the one or more first areas on the display screen based on the temperature.

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a display screen that includes a photo transceiver layer comprising a plurality of photo transmitters and a plurality of light sensors. Further, the display screen includes a glass substrate layer disposed on the photo transceiver layer. Additionally, the display screen includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of photo transmitters and the plurality of light sensors. The controller is configured to receive a plurality of second signals from the plurality of light sensors, wherein the plurality of second signals is indicative of a transmissivity measurement or a reflectivity measurement of one or more measurement areas on the glass substrate. Further, the controller is configured to identify one or more first areas from the one or more measurement areas based on the transmissivity measurement or the reflectivity measurement associated with each of the one or more measurement areas. Additionally, the controller is configured to alter one or more electric currents supplied to one or more photo transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters associated with the one or more first areas, causing the one or more photo transmitters to generate heat in the first one or more areas of the display screen.

In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to generate a moisture accumulation pattern based on identification of the one or more first areas. In some embodiments, the moisture accumulation pattern includes one or more second areas on the glass substrate layer, wherein the controller has historically determined moisture accumulations in the one or more second areas on the glass substrate layer.

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose a method for operating a display screen in an electronic device. The method includes detecting, by a processor, an event on the display screen of the electronic device based on an input received from a plurality of sensors in the display screen, wherein the event on the display screen corresponds to at least detecting a moisture accumulation on the display screen. Further, the method includes identifying one or more first areas on the display screen based on the detected event. Furthermore, the method includes altering one or more electric currents supplied to one or more photo transmitters associated with the one or more identified first areas of the display screen, wherein the one or more photo transmitters is configured to generate heat in the one or more identified first areas.

In some embodiments, the event on the display screen corresponds to receiving a touch input through the display screen. In some embodiments, a plurality of first sensors of the plurality of sensors are configured to detect the touch input through the display screen and generate one or more first signals based on the touch input. In some embodiments, the method further comprising generating a display screen usage pattern that indicates one or more third areas on the display screen based on the one or more first signals.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, by the processor, a plurality of second signals from a plurality of second sensors of the plurality of sensors in the display screen, wherein the plurality of second signals is indicative of a transmissivity measurement or a reflectivity measurement of the display screen, wherein the one or more first areas on the display screen based on the plurality of second signals.

In some embodiments, the event corresponds to a display of a predetermined content on the display screen, wherein the one or more first areas are identified based on the display of the predetermined content on the display screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, these disclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Terminology used in this patent is not meant to be limiting insofar as devices described herein, or portions thereof, may be attached or utilized in other orientations

The term “comprising” means “including but not limited to,” and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of

In work environments, such as warehouses, retails stores, material handling environments and/or the like, a worker may have to move around the facility to perform various operations such as, but not limited to, carrying objects, picking objects from racks, scanning the objects, dimensioning the objects, and/or the like. Typically, the worker may utilize electronic devices such as hand-held scanners, barcode readers, smartphones, etc. to perform the aforementioned operations. A typical electronic device may include a display screen that may be configured to display tasks for the worker to perform. The worker may further provide inputs through the display screens to update the status of the tasks. For instance, the worker may provide touch input through the display screen to mark a task as completed.

Certain work environments maintain sub-zero temperatures. Operating electronic devices in such work environments may be a challenge due to at least the accumulation of moisture on the display screen of the electronic device. For example, due to the accumulation of the moisture on the display screen, the worker may not be able to read the tasks on the display screen. Further, the worker may not be able to provide inputs through the display screen, as content displayed on the display screen is hazy (due to accumulation of moisture) and/or the moisture on the display screen presents the touch sensors from reading touch inputs. This may hamper the overall productivity and efficiency of the worker performing a task in such work environments.

According to one or more embodiments described herein, a display screen is disclosed. The display screen includes a photo transceiver layer. The photo transceiver layer includes a plurality of photo transmitters such as LED or any other light source. Further, the photo transceiver layer includes a plurality of sensors. Additionally, the display screen includes a glass substrate layer disposed on top of the photo transceiver layer.

The plurality of photo transmitters may be configured to generate a plurality of light signals that passes through the glass substrate layer. When moisture accumulates/forms on a surface of the glass substrate layer, a portion of the plurality of light signal may get reflected back from the surface of the glass substrate layer. A plurality of second sensors (e.g., photo detectors) may detect this reflected portion of light signal and may accordingly generate a second signal based on the reflected portion of light signal. The second signal is indicative of a measurement of transmissivity/reflectivity of the glass substrate layer. If the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the glass substrate layer satisfies a transmissivity/reflectivity threshold, a controller in the display screen may determine that the moisture has accumulated on the glass substrate layer.

Thereafter, the controller of the display screen may be configured to determine a first area on the display screen where the moisture has accumulated based on the location of one or more second sensors that have received the reflected portion of the light signal. After determining the first area, the controller may be configured to alter one or more electric currents supplied to a set of photo transmitters associated with the first area on the display screen. This causes the one or more photo transmitters to generate sufficient heat to evaporate the accumulated moisture on the first area on the display screen.

Because of the presence of the one or more second sensors in the display screen, the controller in the display screen is able to determine the exact location of moisture accumulation. Further, because the controller utilizes the photo transmitters in the display screen to heat the specific portions of the display screen, no additional heating element is required to heat the display screen in order to remove any accumulated moisture. Hence, the cost of the proposed solution is less in comparison to the conventional display screen.

FIG. 1illustrates an example material handling environment100, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The material handling environment100may refer to environments related to, but not limited to, manufacturing of the items, inventory storage of the items, packaging and unpackaging of the items, preparing customer orders, recording items related information based on scanning and identification of the items, and shipment processing (including shipping and logistics distribution of the items). In such environments, many workers perform different operations, which may involve handling of the items during various phases (including, but not limited to, accumulation, sortation, scanning and identification, packaging and shipment preparation etc.), of overall operation cycle of the material handling environment100. For example, the workers are involved in manual packaging and unpackaging of the items while preparing customer orders for shipping. In another example, the workers may handle placing of the items in an accumulation zone of a conveyor system for automated packaging of the items. In some environments, workers may use electronic devices (e.g., an electronic device102) such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) or mobile devices that may be communicatively connected to a headset and a server (e.g., a server106), for receiving automated or voice directed instructions for performing various operations including scanning and identification of labels, such as barcodes, RFID tags, etc. affixed on the items for shipment preparation. Thus, in these environments, many workers are usually involved in performing various operations involving handling items and performing operations including interaction with different machines, such as an accumulator, a dimensioner, a scanning and identification device, etc., for shipment processing and transportation. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the material handling environment100includes the electronic device102, a network104, the server106. The electronic device102and the server106are communicatively coupled with each other through the network104.

The electronic device102corresponds to a computing device that may include suitable logic or circuitry to perform a predetermined operation such as, but is not limited to, executing a predetermined application, scanning a bar code, determining dimensions of an object, displaying an instruction to an operator (e.g., the operator108) of the electronic device102to perform a task, communicating with other electronic devices (e.g., the server106) through the network104, and executing word processing applications. In an example embodiment, the electronic device102may include a display screen110, as is further described in conjunctionFIG. 2. The display screen110may be configured to display information/content to the operator108of the electronic device102. For example, the electronic device102may be configured to display instructions on the display screen110to the operator108based on which the operator108of the electronic device102may perform a task. Some examples of the electronic device102may include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a computer, a laptop, a bar code scanner, palm top computers, PDA, and/or any other device that includes the display screen110. The structure of the electronic device102is described later in conjunction withFIG. 2.

The network104may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to various devices of the material handling environment100(e.g., the electronic device102and the server106). In this regard, the network104may include, for example, a network interface for enabling communications with a wired or wireless communication network. For example, the network104may include one or more network interface cards, antennae, buses, switches, routers, modems, and supporting hardware and/or software, or any other device suitable for enabling communications via a network. Additionally, or alternatively, the network104may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). Such signals may be transmitted using one or more communication protocols, such as Bluetooth® v1.0 through v3.0, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), infrared wireless (e.g., IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), induction wireless transmission, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communications (NFC), TCP/IP, UDP, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), or other proximity-based communications protocols.

The server106may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may be configured to receive/transmit data from/to the electronic device102through the network104. For example, the server106may be configured to transmit instruction related to the task to be performed by the operator108of the electronic device102. In an example embodiment, the server106may be implemented using various application servers such as, but are not limited to, JBOSS™, Apache™, Apache-Tomcat™, and/or the like.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view200of the electronic device102, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In an example embodiment, the electronic device102includes a housing202, the display screen110, and one or more buttons206a,206b,206cand206d.The housing202may be configured receive the one or more electronic circuits (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a processor, a memory unit, input/output device interface, battery, and/or the like that may enable the electronic device102to display content (e.g., task to be performed by the operator108) on the display screen110. Further, the housing202may be configured to receive the display screen110and the one or more buttons206a,206b,206cand206d.

The display screen110may include suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may facilitate rendering or displaying of the content on the display screen110. In an example embodiment, the display screen110may be realized through technologies such as, Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) based display, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED) based display, Organic LED display technology, and Retina display technology. In some embodiments, the display screen110may further include a touch panel, such as a thermal touch panel, a capacitive touch panel, and/or a resistive touch panel, which may enable the operator108to provide inputs to the electronic device102and/or the display screen110. The structure of the display screen110is further described in conjunction withFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B.

In an example embodiment, the one or more buttons206a,206b,and206care configured to facilitate the operator108to provide inputs to the electronic device102. For example, the operator108may be configured to press the button206cto reduce the volume of the audio signal generated by the electronic device102. In another example, the operator108may be configured to press the button206bto switch ON or switch OFF the display screen110. In yet another example, the operator108may be configured to press the button206bto switch ON or switch OFF the electronic device102.

FIG. 3Aillustrates an exploded view300aof the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein. In an example embodiment, the exploded view300of the display screen110illustrates that the display screen110includes a photo transceiver layer302, a touch panel304, a glass substrate layer306, and an electronic circuit layer308. In an example embodiment, the photo transceiver layer302and the touch panel304are communicatively coupled to the electronic circuit layer308.

The photo transceiver layer302corresponds to a layer that is capable of generating and detecting light signals. For example, the photo transceiver layer302includes a plurality of photo transmitters314that may be capable of generating light signals based on electrical signals received from the electronic circuit layer308. In some examples, the generated light signals may be representative of the content displayed on the display screen110. In an example embodiment, the plurality of photo transmitters314may be fabricated uniformly on the photo transceiver layer302in such a manner that a photo transmitter of the plurality of photo transmitters is equally spaced apart from adjacent photo transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters. Some examples of the plurality of photo transmitters314may include, but are not limited to, a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a LASER, and/or the like.

Further, to enable detection of the light signals, the photo transceiver layer302includes a plurality of second sensors316that are fabricated on the photo transceiver layer302in such a manner that the plurality of second sensors316is positioned among the plurality of photo transmitters314. In some examples, the plurality of the second sensors316are positioned between two adjacent photo transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters314. For example, the second sensor316ais positioned between the photo transmitters314aand the photo transmitter314b.In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the second sensor316aof the plurality of second sensors316being positioned between the two adjacent photo transmitters (e.g.,314aand314b). In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of second sensors316may be positioned in the photo transceiver layer302in any other uniform pattern, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the plurality of second sensors316may be positioned on the photo transceiver layer302in such a manner that the second sensor316aof the plurality of second sensors316is positioned after every predetermined count of photo transmitters. For example, the second sensor316amay be positioned on the photo transceiver layer302after every two photo transmitters. Similarly, other uniform patterns of positioning of the plurality of second sensors316may be contemplated, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

In an example embodiment, the plurality of second sensors314may correspond to a plurality of light sensors that may be configured to generate a plurality of second signals based on detection of light signals. In an example embodiment, a second signal may correspond to a voltage signal that has one or more characteristics such as, but not limited to, an amplitude and a frequency. In an example embodiment, a measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal may be indicative of an intensity of light signal detected by the second sensor of the plurality of second sensors316.

In some examples, the plurality of second sensors316may correspond to at least one of a photodetector, a photodiode, or a photo resistor that may detect the plurality of light signals received from an ambient environment of the display screen110(e.g., external light source). In such an example, the plurality of second sensors316may be configured to detect the plurality of light signals that originate in the ambient environment around the display screen110and that passes through the glass substrate layer306and the touch panel304. Therefore, the intensity of the plurality of light signals detected by the plurality of second sensors316is dependent on a transmissivity of the glass substrate layer306and the touch panel304(hereinafter referred to as the transmissivity of the display screen110). In an example embodiment, the transmissivity of the display screen110may correspond to a measurement of the intensity of a light signal that the display screen110allows to pass through. Because the measurement of the one or more characteristics associated with each of the plurality of second signals is indicative of the intensity of the light signal detected by the plurality of second sensors316, the measurement of the one or more characteristics associated with the plurality of the second signals corresponds to the transmissivity measurement of the display screen110.

In another example, the plurality of second sensors316may be configured to detect a portion of the plurality of light signals generated by the plurality of photo transmitters314. In an example embodiment, the portion of the plurality of light signals generated by the plurality of photo transmitters314may correspond to the light signals that are reflected from the glass substrate layer306. Therefore, in such an example, the plurality of second signals generated by the plurality of second sensors316may be indicative of a reflectivity measurement of the glass substrate layer306(hereinafter referred to as reflectivity of the display screen110). Therefore, the measurement of the one or more characteristics associated with the plurality of second signals, in such an embodiment, corresponds to the reflectivity measurement of the display screen110.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the plurality of second sensors316corresponding to the light sensors that are configured to determine the transmissivity measurement or reflectivity measurement. In an alternative embodiment, the plurality of second sensors316may correspond to moisture sensors that are configured to detect accumulation of moisture on the display screen110, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

In some examples, as discussed above, each second sensor of the plurality of second sensors316are fixedly positioned among the plurality of photo transmitters314on the photo transceiver layer302. Therefore, each second sensor of the plurality of second sensors316may receive the plurality of light signals only through a specific portion of the glass substrate layer306. Accordingly, the plurality of second signals generated by the plurality of second sensors316is indicative of the transmissivity or reflectivity measurement of corresponding specific portion of the glass substrate layer (hereinafter referred to as measurement area on the display screen110), as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 6. Because the plurality of second sensors316are positioned throughout the span of the display screen110(e.g., throughout the span of the photo transceiver layer302) and each second sensor of the plurality of second sensors316receives light signal from the specific portion on the glass substrate layer (i.e., the measurement area), the display screen110is said to be divided into one or more measurement areas.

The touch panel304may correspond to a transparent layer that is disposed on the photo transceiver layer302. In an example embodiment, the touch panel304includes a plurality of first sensors318that is configured to detect a touch input from the operator108of the electronic device102. For example, the plurality of first sensors318may correspond to an array of capacitive sensors that may be configured to detect the touch input based on a change in the capacitance of the array of capacitive sensors. In another example, the plurality of first sensors318may correspond to a plurality of resistive sensors that may be configured detect the touch input based on a change in the resistivity of the plurality of resistive sensors. In an example embodiment, each first sensor of the plurality of first sensors318may be configured to generate one or more first signals based on the detection of the touch input, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 14. Further, the first signal may be indicative of a location on the touch panel304(hereinafter referred to as the location of the display screen110), which has received the touch input, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 16. Further, the touch panel304may be configured to transmit the first signal to the electronic circuit layer308.

In an example embodiment, the glass substrate layer306may correspond to a transparent protective glass that is disposed on the touch panel304. The glass substrate layer306may protect the touch panel304, the photo transceiver layer302, and/or the electronic circuit layer308from damage. In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the glass substrate layer306being disposed on top of the touch panel304. In an alternative embodiment, the glass substrate layer306and the touch panel304may be fabricated on a single layer. In such an embodiment, the touch panel304may be embedded in the glass substrate layer306. Some examples of the glass substrate layer306may be include, but not limited to GORILLA GLASS™.

In an example embodiment, the electronic circuit layer308may correspond to a printed circuit board (PCB) that is communicatively coupled with the photo transceiver layer302and the touch panel304. In some example embodiments, the electronic circuit layer308may include a plurality of driver circuits, interfaces, controllers, that enables the electronic circuit layer308to communicate with the photo transceiver layer302and the touch panel304. In an example embodiment, the electronic circuit layer308may further include a control system310that is configured to control the operation of the display screen110. The operation and structure of the control system310is described in conjunction withFIG. 4.

FIG. 3Billustrates a sectional view300bof the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The sectional view300bdepicts that the control system310is communicatively coupled with the photo transceiver layer302and the touch panel304. More particularly, the control system310is communicatively coupled with the plurality of photo transmitters314and the plurality of second sensors316in the photo transceiver layer302. Further, the control system310is communicatively coupled to the plurality of first sensors318in the touch panel304. Further, the sectional view300bdepicts that the glass substrate layer306is disposed on the touch panel304, which is further disposed on the photo transceiver layer302.

When the plurality of photo transmitters314generates the plurality of light signals (e.g.,320) (indicative of the content displayed on the display screen110), the light signals320pass through the touch panel304and the glass substrate layer306.

In some embodiment, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to having a photo transceiver layer302having both the plurality of photo transmitters314and the plurality of second sensors316. In an example embodiment, the plurality of second sensors316may be formed on a separate layer and the plurality of photo transmitters314are formed on a separate layer. Further, in such implementation, the layer having the plurality of second sensors316may be retrofitted in the existing display screens, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 4illustrates a block diagram400of the control system310, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The control system310includes a controller402, a first memory device404, a first communication interface406, a first touch interface unit408, a first photo transceiver interface unit410, a first moisture detection unit412, a first temperature sensing unit414, and a first pattern generation unit416.

The controller402may be embodied as means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated inFIG. 4as a single controller, in an embodiment, the controller402may include a plurality of controllers and signal processing modules. The plurality of controllers may be embodied on a single electronic device or may be distributed across a plurality of electronic devices collectively configured to function as the circuitry of the display screen110. The plurality of controllers may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the circuitry of the display screen110, as described herein. In an example embodiment, the controller402may be configured to execute instructions stored in the first memory device404or otherwise accessible to the controller402. These instructions, when executed by the controller402, may cause the circuitry of the display screen110to perform one or more of the functionalities, as described herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by a combination thereof, the controller402may include an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the controller402is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the controller402may include specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the controller402is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the first memory device404, the instructions may specifically configure the controller402to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Thus, the controller402used herein may refer to a programmable microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the various embodiments described above. In some devices, multiple processors may be provided dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. Software applications may be stored in the internal memory before they are accessed and loaded into the processors. The processors may include internal memory sufficient to store the application software instructions. In many devices, the internal memory may be a volatile or nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. The memory can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

In an example embodiment, the controller402may be configured to detect an event on the display screen110, as is further described inFIG. 5. In an example embodiment, the event may correspond to at least one of an external phenomenon or an internal phenomenon that may be detected by the controller402. Some examples of the event may include, but are not limited to, detection of moisture accumulation on the display screen110(described later in conjunction withFIG. 6), a temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110satisfying (e.g. being below) a temperature threshold (described later in conjunction withFIGS. 11, 15, and 17), display of a predetermined content on the display screen110(described later in conjunction withFIG. 20), reception of a touch input on the display screen110(described later in conjunction withFIG. 14). In an example embodiment, the temperature threshold may correspond to a temperature value below which there is a high likelihood of moisture accumulation on the display screen110. In an example embodiment, the predetermined content may correspond to at least one of a graphics, a text, an icon, and/or the like that is displayable on the display screen110.

The first memory device404may include suitable logic, circuitry, and/or interfaces that are adapted to store a set of instructions that is executable by the controller402to perform predetermined operations. Some of the memory implementations include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, random access memory, cache memory, read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), an optical disc, circuitry configured to store information, or some combination thereof. In an embodiment, the first memory device404may be integrated with the controller402on a single chip, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In an example embodiment, the first memory device404may be configured to store data pertaining to the plurality of photo transmitters314, the plurality of second sensors316, the plurality of first sensors318. In an example embodiment, the data pertaining to the plurality of photo transmitters314, the plurality of second sensors316, the plurality of first sensors318may include, but not limited to, a location of each photo transmitter of the plurality of photo transmitters, each first sensor of the plurality of first sensors, and each second sensor of the plurality of second sensors. Further, the data includes unique address associated with each photo transmitter of the plurality of photo transmitters, each first sensor of the plurality of first sensors, and each second sensor of the plurality of second sensors. In an example embodiment, the unique address may enable the controller402to individually control the plurality of first sensors, plurality of photo transmitters, and a plurality of second sensors. For example, based on the unique address, the controller402may be able to uniquely identify which of the plurality of second sensors has sent the second signal (corresponding to the detected intensity of light signal) to the controller402. Similarly, the controller402may be able to uniquely identify which of the plurality of first sensors has sent the first signal corresponding to the reception of the touch input to the controller402. of the information. Following example table illustrates example data pertaining to the plurality of photo transmitters314:

TABLE 1Location and unique address of plurality of photo transmitters 314Plurality of photoLocation on thetransmitters 314display screen 110Unique addressPhoto transmitter 314a(5, 4)1010101Photo transmitter 314b(10, 20)1010111

In some examples, the data pertaining to the plurality of second sensors316may also include information pertaining to the one or more measurement areas associated with each of the plurality of second sensors316(in addition to the location and unique address associated with each of the plurality of second sensors316). Following table illustrates an example data pertaining to the plurality of second sensors:

Similarly, the first memory device404includes the location information and address of the plurality of first sensors318(i.e., the first sensors in the touch panel304).

The first communication interface406may correspond to a communication interface that may facilitate transmission and reception of messages and data to and from various components of the display screen110. For example, the first communication interface406is communicatively coupled with the control system310. Examples of the first communication interface406may include, but are not limited to, an antenna, an Ethernet port, a USB port, a serial port, or any other port that can be adapted to receive and transmit data. The first communication interface406transmits and receives data and/or messages in accordance with the various communication protocols, such as, I2C, TCP/IP, UDP, and 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G communication protocols.

The first touch interface unit408may include suitable logic or circuitry that may enable the first touch interface unit408to communicate with the touch panel304. For example, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to receive a first signal from each first sensor of the plurality of first sensors318in the touch panel304. Further, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to determine the location of the touch input on the display screen110, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 14. The first touch interface unit408may be implemented using one or more technologies, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

The first photo transceiver interface unit410may include suitable logic or circuitry that may enable the first photo transceiver interface unit410to communicate with the photo transceiver layer302. For example, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to cause the photo transceiver layer302to generate light signal, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 6. In an example embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may include one or more driver circuits that may facilitate communication between the plurality of photo transmitters314and the first photo transceiver interface unit410. For example, through the one or more driver circuits, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to control the electric current supplied to each of the plurality of photo transmitters314. As discussed above, each photo transmitter of the plurality of photo transmitters314is uniquely identifiable (based on addresses stored in the first memory device404). Therefore, based on the stored addresses, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may individually control each of the plurality of photo transmitters314. For example, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to alter the electric current supplied to the photo transmitter314awithout affecting the electric current supplied to the other photos transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters314. In some example embodiments, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to receive the plurality of second signals from the plurality of second sensors316, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 6. Further, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to analyze the plurality of second signals to determine a transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the one or more measurement areas on the display screen110, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 6. In an example embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be further configured to store the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the one or more measurement areas of the display screen110in the first memory device404. In some examples, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be further configured to alter the electric current supplied to one or more photo transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters314, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 6. The first photo transceiver interface unit410may be implemented using one or more technologies, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

The first moisture detection unit412may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may enable the first moisture detection unit412to detect moisture accumulation on the display screen110, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 6. For example, the first moisture detection unit412may be further configured to identify one or more first areas of the one or more measurement areas on the display screen110, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 8. In an example embodiment, the one or more first areas may correspond to measurement areas on the display screen110where moisture detection unit412has detected moisture accumulation. The first moisture detection unit412may be implemented using one or more technologies, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

The first temperature sensing unit414may include suitable logic (not shown) and/or circuitry that may enable first temperature sensing unit414to cause a temperature sensor in the display screen110to determine the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110. For example, the temperature sensor may be configured to determine the temperature of the ambient environment around the electronic device102, where the display screen110is installed. In some examples, the temperature sensor may be positioned on the glass substrate layer306. However, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the temperature sensor being positioned on the glass substrate layer306. In an example embodiment, the temperature sensor may be positioned in the electronic device102and may be communicatively coupled to the control system310. In an example embodiment, the temperature sensor may correspond to at least one of a thermocouple, a thermistor, or an infrared sensor that may be configured to determine the temperature of the ambient environment. In an example embodiment, the first temperature sensing unit414may be further configured to store the determined temperature in the first memory device404. The first temperature sensing unit414may be implemented using one or more technologies, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

The pattern generation unit416may include suitable logic and/or circuitry that may enable the pattern generation unit416to generate a moisture accumulation pattern based on the identification of the one or more first areas. The generation of the moisture accumulation pattern is described later in conjunction withFIG. 6. Further, the pattern generation unit416may be configured to generate a display screen historical usage pattern based on the touch input detected by the first touch interface unit408. The generation of the display screen usage pattern is described later in conjunction withFIG. 14. The pattern generation unit416may be implemented using one or more technologies, such as, but not limited to, FPGA, ASIC, and the like.

FIGS. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13-15, and 17-20illustrate example flowcharts of the operations performed by an apparatus, such as the display screen110and the electronic device102ofFIG. 1in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, one or more processors, circuitry and/or other devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor in the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus provides for implementation of the functions specified in the flowcharts' block(s). These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowcharts' block(s). The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts' block(s). As such, the operations of each ofFIGS. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13-15, and 17-20, when executed, convert a computer or processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the operations of each ofFIGS. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13-15, and 17-20define an algorithm for configuring a computer or processor, to perform an example embodiment. In some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided with an instance of the processor which performs the algorithm ofFIG. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13-15, or17-20to transform the general purpose computer into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment.

FIG. 5illustrates a flowchart500of a method for operating the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step502, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, and/or the like, for detecting an event on the display screen110. As discussed, the event may correspond to at least one of detection of moisture accumulation on the display screen110, the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110satisfying a temperature threshold, reception of the touch input on the display screen110, and/or the display of the predetermined content on the display screen110. The detection of the moisture accumulation is described later in conjunction withFIG. 6. Further, the reception of the touch input is described later in conjunction withFIG. 14. Further, the detection of the temperature of the ambient environment satisfying the temperature threshold is described later in conjunction withFIGS. 11, 15, and 17. Furthermore, the display of the predetermined content is described later in conjunction withFIG. 20.

At step504, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for identifying the one or more first areas from the one or more measurement areas based on the detected event. The identification of the one or more first areas is described later in conjunction withFIGS. 6-21

At step506, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for altering the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters associated with the one or more first areas. The altering of the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters is described later in conjunction withFIG. 6.

FIG. 6illustrates a flowchart600of a method for operating the display screen110based on detection of event of moisture accumulation on the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step602, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for receiving the plurality of second signals from the plurality of second sensors316. As discussed above, each second signal of the plurality of second signals corresponds to the voltage signal that is indicative of the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the glass substrate layer306. In an example embodiment, the one or more characteristics of the plurality of second signals (such as the amplitude and the frequency) are indicative of the intensity of the light signal detected by the plurality of second sensors316. Because the intensity of the light signal detected by the plurality of second sensors is dependent on the transmissivity/reflectivity of the one or more respective measurement areas on the display screen110, therefore, the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the plurality of second signals corresponds to the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the one or more respective measurement areas. For example, variation in the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the plurality of second signals may be indicative of the variations in the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the one or more respective measurement areas on the display screen110. The variations in the plurality of second signals are further described in conjunction withFIG. 7.

FIG. 7is an example illustration700depicting the plurality of second signals and the one or more respective measurement areas on the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The illustration700depicts that the display screen110includes a measurement area702a,a measurement area702b,and a measurement area702c.In an example embodiment, as discussed above, each of the one or more measurement areas is defined as the portion on the display screen through which a second sensor of the plurality of second sensors316receives and detects the light signal. Therefore, each of the measurement area702a,the measurement area702b,and the measurement area702c,has an associated second sensor of the plurality of second sensors316. Further, the second sensors associated with the measurement areas702a,702b,and702cgenerate the second signals indicative of the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the respective measurement areas702a,702b,and702c.For example, the second sensor associated with the measurement area702agenerates the second signal, depicted by the graphical representation704a.Similarly, the second sensors associated with the measurement areas702band702cgenerate the second signals depicted by the graphical representations704band704c,respectively. Each of the graphical representations704a,704b,and704chas an X-axis (e.g.,708) and a Y-axis (e.g.,706). The X-axis (e.g.,708) may represent a time at which the first photo transceiver interface unit410receives the plurality of second signals. The Y-axis (e.g.,706) represents the amplitude of the plurality of second signals. Further, the graphical representations704a,704b,and704cinclude curves710a,710b,and710c,respectively. Each of the curves710a,710b,and710cis representative of the variation in the amplitude of the second signals (represented by the graphical representations704a,704b,and704c).

It can be observed that the amplitude of the curve710b(depicting the second signal corresponding to the measurement area702b) decreases as the time continues, and the amplitude of the curves710aand710cremains constant. The reducing amplitude of the curve710bmay be indicative of the variation in the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the measurement area702b.For example, reducing amplitude of the curve710bmay depict a reducing transmissivity of the display screen110. Further, because the amplitude of the curves710aand710cremain constant, the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the measurement areas702aand702cis constant.

In some examples, the variation in the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the measurement area702bmay be due to moisture accumulation in the measurement area702b.In some examples, in an instance in which the moisture gets accumulated on the display screen110, the transmissivity of the display screen110decreases while the reflectivity of the display screen110increases. Therefore, in some implementations, where the second signal corresponds to the reflectivity measurement, the amplitude of the second signal may depict an increase when the moisture gets accumulated on the display screen110. Similarly, where the second signal corresponds to the transmissivity measurement, the amplitude of the second signal may depict a decrease (such as the curve710b) when the moisture gets accumulated on the display screen110.

The moisture accumulation may occur in certain environmental conditions such as environment temperature dropping to below zero degree Celsius. Because the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of a measurement area of the one or more measurement areas varies upon moisture accumulation, by monitoring the transmissivity/reflectivity measure, the moisture accumulation on the display screen110may be detected, as is further described in the step606ofFIG. 6. The variation in the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the measurement area702bdue to accumulation of the moisture is further illustrated inFIGS. 10A and 10B.

Referring back toFIG. 6, at step604, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for analyzing each second signal of the plurality of second signals to determine the measurement of the one or more characteristics of each second signal of the plurality of second signals. As discussed above, the one or more characteristics of each of the plurality of second signals include the amplitude of the second signal and the frequency of the second signal.

To determine the amplitude measurement of the second signal of the plurality of second signals, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to determine an average amplitude of the second signals (received during the time duration (e.g., depicted by the X-axis708)). Thereafter, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may determine the determined average amplitude as the amplitude measurement of the second signal. In an alternative embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may determine the amplitude measurement of the second signal based on the real time or current amplitude measurement of the second signal. For instance, the amplitude measurement of the second signal at a time instance t1is V1and the amplitude measurement of the second signal at a current time instant is V2, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may determine the amplitude V2as the amplitude measurement of the second signal.

To determine the frequency measurement of the second signal, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to transform the second signal to a frequency domain second signal using one or more signal processing techniques such as, but not limited to, DFT, DTFT, and/or the like. In some examples, the frequency domain second signal may be deterministic of various frequencies present in the second signal. Thereafter, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may determine the frequency measurement of the second signal based on an average of the various frequencies present in the second signal. In an example embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to analyze the other second signals of the plurality of second signals in a similar manner to determine the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the other second signals.

As discussed above, the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal (i.e., the amplitude measurement and the frequency measurement) corresponds to the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the respective measurement area on the display screen110. For example, the amplitude measurement of the second signal may correspond to the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the respective measurement area. In another example, the frequency measurement of the second signal may correspond to the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the respective measurement area. In yet another example, a combination of the amplitude measurement and the frequency measurement of the second signal corresponds to the transmissivity/reflectivity measurement of the respective measurement area.

At step606, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for identifying the one or more first areas of the one or more measurement areas. In some examples, the one or more first areas may correspond to measurement areas where the moisture may have accumulated. The identification of the one or more first areas is further described in conjunction withFIG. 8.

FIG. 8illustrates a flowchart800of a method for identifying the one or more first areas of the one or more measurement areas, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step802, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining whether each of the one or more measurement areas has been checked for moisture accumulation. In an example embodiment, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that the moisture accumulation has been checked for each of the one or more measurements areas, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step608. However, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that not each of the one or more measurement areas has been checked for moisture accumulation, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step804.

At step804, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining whether the display screen110is switch ON. As discussed above, the operator108of the electronic device102may provide input to switch ON the display screen110or switch OFF the display screen110. Accordingly, based at least on the reception of the input from the operator108, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to determine whether the display screen110is switched ON. In alternative embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to determine whether the display screen110has been switched ON based on whether the electric current is being supplied to each of the plurality of photo transmitters314. If the first photo transceiver interface unit410determines that the display screen110is switched ON, the controller402may be configured to perform the step806.

At step806, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining whether the reflectivity measurement associated with a measurement area of the one or more measurement area satisfies (e.g. is greater than) a reflectivity threshold. In an example embodiment, because the display screen110is switched ON, the plurality of photo transmitter314may be configured to generate the light signals. Major portion of the generated light signal is generally expected to pass through the glass substrate layer306. However, in scenarios, where the moisture has accumulated on the display screen110, some portion of the light signal may get reflected back towards the photo transceiver layer302. Further, the plurality second sensors may detect the reflected portion of the light signals. Accordingly, the amplitude of the plurality of second signals will depict an increase (because of the detection of the reflected portion of the light signal). Further, the amplitude of the second signal may be indicative of the reflectivity measurement of the display screen110. Accordingly, when the display screen110is switched ON, increase in the amplitude of the plurality of second signals may depict moisture accumulation. Hence, at step806, the first moisture detection unit412determines whether the reflectivity measurement associated with the measurement area satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the reflectivity threshold.

As discussed above, the reflectivity measurement of the measurement area corresponds to the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal generated by the second sensor associated with the measurement area. In some examples, the reflectivity threshold may correspond to a first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal. Therefore, in other words, the first moisture detection unit412, at step804, may determine whether the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal (corresponding to the measurement area) satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. The determination of the step806is further described in conjunction withFIG. 9.

FIG. 9illustrates a flowchart900of a method for determining whether the reflectivity measurement associated with the measurement area satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the reflectivity threshold.

At step902, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining whether the amplitude of the second signal satisfies (e.g., greater than) a first amplitude threshold (i.e., the threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics). In an example embodiment, the first amplitude threshold may correspond to the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. If the first moisture detection unit412determines that the amplitude of the second signal does not satisfy (e.g., is less than) the first amplitude threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step906. However, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that the amplitude measurement of the second signal satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first amplitude threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step904.

At step906, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining that the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal is does not satisfy (e.g., less than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics.

At step904, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining whether a predetermined time period has elapsed since a time instant at which the amplitude measurement is determined to satisfy (e.g. is greater than) the first amplitude threshold. If the first moisture detection unit412determines that the predetermined time period has elapsed, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step908. However, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that the predetermined time period has not elapsed, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to repeat the step902. By performing the step904, the first moisture detection unit412checks whether the amplitude of the second signal satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first amplitude threshold for the predetermined time period. Accordingly, by performing the step904, the first moisture detection unit412avoids false determination of the amplitude of the second signal satisfying (e.g. greater than) the first amplitude threshold. For example, due to noise in the second signal, the amplitude measurement at a time instant t1satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first amplitude threshold momentarily. However, in the subsequent time instant t2, the amplitude measurement does not satisfy (e.g., less than) the first amplitude threshold. Therefore, had the moisture detection unit412not performed the step904, the moisture detection unit412would have, incorrectly, performed the step908.

At step908, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining that the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to only comparing the amplitude of the second signal with the first amplitude threshold to determine whether the measurement of the one or more characteristics satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In alternative embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to compare the frequency measurement of the second signal with a first frequency threshold to determine whether the measurement of the one or more characteristics satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In such an implementation, the first frequency threshold corresponds to the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In yet another embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to compare both the amplitude measurement and the frequency measurement of the second signal with the first amplitude threshold and the first frequency threshold, respectively, to determine whether the measurement of the one or more characteristics satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In such an embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may determine that the measurement of the one or more characteristics satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics only when both the amplitude measurement and the frequency measurement of the second signal satisfy (e.g. is greater than) the first amplitude threshold and the first frequency threshold, respectively. Further, in such an embodiment, both the first amplitude threshold and the first frequency threshold correspond to the first measurement threshold of the one or more characteristics.

Referring back to the step806, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics, the first moisture detection unit412may determine the reflectivity measurement of the measurement area satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the reflectivity threshold. Accordingly, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step810. However, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that the measurement of the one or more characteristics of the second signal is does not satisfy (e.g., less than) the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics, the first moisture detection unit412may determine the reflectivity measurement of the measurement area is does not satisfy (e.g., less than) the reflectivity threshold. Accordingly, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to repeat the step802.

Referring back to step804, if the first photo transceiver interface unit410determines that the display screen110is switched OFF, the controller402may be configured to perform the step808. At step808, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining whether the transmissivity measurement associated with the measurement area of the one or more measurement area satisfy (e.g., less than) the transmissivity threshold. In an example embodiment, because the display screen110is switched OFF, the plurality of photo transmitter314may not be generating the light signals. The plurality of second sensors316may be receiving light signals from the ambient environment around the display screen110. Major portion of the light signal from the ambient environment generally pass through the glass substrate layer306and is detected by the plurality of second sensors316. However, in scenarios, where the moisture has accumulated on the display screen110, the light signals from the ambient environment are not able to pass through the glass substrate layer306. This, in some examples, result in a dip in the amplitude of the plurality of second signals generated by the second sensors316. Therefore, when the display screen110is switched OFF, the dip in the amplitude of the plurality of second signals may depict moisture accumulation. Hence, at step808, the first moisture detection unit412determines whether the transmissivity measurement associated with the measurement area satisfies (e.g., less than) the transmissivity threshold.

In some examples, the first moisture detection unit412may determine whether the amplitude measurement of the second signal satisfies (e.g., less than) a second amplitude threshold. If the first moisture detection unit412determines that the amplitude measurement of the second signal satisfies (e.g., less than) the second amplitude threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may determines that the measurement of the one or more characteristics satisfies (e.g., less than) a second threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In such an implementation, the second amplitude threshold corresponds to the second threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In alternative embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine whether the frequency measurement of the second signal satisfies (e.g., less than) a second frequency threshold, to determine whether the measurement of the one or more characteristics satisfies (e.g., less than) the threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In such an implementation, the second frequency threshold corresponds to the second threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In yet another embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine whether both the amplitude measurement and the frequency measurement of the second signal satisfy (e.g., less than) the second amplitude threshold and the second frequency threshold, respectively, to determine whether the measurement of the one or more characteristics satisfies (e.g., less than) the second threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. In such an embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may determine that the measurement of the one or more characteristics satisfies (e.g., less than) the second threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics only when both the amplitude measurement and the frequency measurement of the second signal satisfy (e.g., less than) the second amplitude threshold and the second frequency threshold, respectively.

In an example embodiment, the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics is different from the second threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics. For example, the value of the first amplitude threshold is different from the second amplitude threshold. In an example embodiment, if the amplitude measurement of the second signal is between the first amplitude threshold and the second amplitude threshold, the moisture detection unit412may determine that no moisture as accumulated on the display screen110. In an alternative embodiment, the first threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics is equal to the second threshold measurement of the one or more characteristics, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the value of the first amplitude threshold is equal to the second amplitude threshold.

In an example embodiment, if at step808, the first moisture detection unit412determines that the transmissivity measurement associated with the measurement area satisfies (e.g., less than) the second transmissivity threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step810. However, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that the transmissivity measurement associated with the measurement area does not satisfy (e.g., greater than) the transmissivity threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to repeat the step802.

At the step810, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for detecting the event of moisture accumulation in the measurement area. Accordingly, at step812, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for classifying the measurement area as the first area. Thereafter, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to repeat the step802.

In an example embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the method described in the flowchart800until the first moisture detection unit412checks each of the one or more measurement areas for moisture accumulation. After performing the method described in the flowchart800, the first moisture detection unit412may have identified the one or more first areas of the one or more measurement areas. In some examples, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to store the information pertaining to the one or more first areas in the first memory device404. In an example embodiment, the information pertaining to the one or more first areas of the display screen110may include the location of the one or more first areas on the display screen110. In an example embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the location of the one or more first areas from the data information pertaining to the each of the one or more measurement areas stored in the first memory device404, as is illustrated above in table 2.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to check each of the one or more measurement areas for moisture accumulation to identify the one or more first areas. In an alternative embodiment, the controller402may be configured to perform the steps of flowchart800in parallel for each of the one or more measurement area. In such an embodiment, the controller402may not perform the step802, as each of the one or more measurement areas are being checked for moisture accumulation in parallel. Further, in such an implementation, as soon as the controller402determines moisture accumulation in a measurement area of the one or more measurement areas, the controller402performs the step608for the measurement area.

Referring back toFIG. 6, at the step608, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for identifying the one or more photo transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters314. In an example embodiment, the one or more photo transmitters may correspond to the photo transmitters that correspond to the one or more first areas. To identify the one or more photo transmitters, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to retrieve the data pertaining to the one or more first areas from the first memory device404. As discussed above, the information data pertaining to the one or more first areas include the location information of the one or more first areas on the display screen110. Further, as discussed, the location information corresponds to a set of coordinates on the display screen110that define each of the one or more first areas on the display screen110. In some examples, the set of coordinates may define the periphery of the one or more first areas on the display screen110. For example, if the set of coordinates of a first area includes (0,0), (3,3), (0,3), and (3,0), the coordinates (0,0), (3,3), (3,0), and (0,3) depict the periphery of the first area.

After identifying the location information pertaining to the one or more first areas, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to correlate the location information of the one or more first areas with the location of the plurality of the photo transmitters314to identify the one or more photo transmitters of the plurality of the photo transmitters314that are included in the one or more first areas. For example, if the first area has the coordinates (0,0), (3,3), (0,3), and (3,0) and the first photo transmitter and the second photo transmitter in the plurality of photo transmitter314has coordinates (2,2), and (5,2), the first photo transceiver interface unit410determines that the first photo transmitter located at (2,2) is included in the first area while the second photo transmitter located at (5,2) is not included in the first area. Further, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to determine the first photo transmitter as one of the one or more photo transmitters.

At step610, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for altering the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters314. In an example embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to increase the electric current supplied to each of the one or more photo transmitters. Increase in the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters causes the one or more photo transmitters to heat. Because the one or more photo transmitters are included in the one or more first areas (where the moisture has accumulated), the temperature of the one or more first areas increases. The increase in the temperature of the one or more first areas causes the accumulated moisture to evaporate, hence improving the visibility of the display screen110.

In an example embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to step-wise increase the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters. For example, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be first configured to increase the electric current by a predetermined amount for a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the controller402may be configured to repeat the steps602-608to determine whether the moisture has been removed from the one or more first areas. If the one or more first areas do not have accumulated moisture, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to reduce the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters to the default electric current value. However, if the controller402determines that the one or more first areas still has the moisture accumulated, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to further increase the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters by the predetermined amount for a predetermined time period. The aforementioned process of increasing the electric current is repeated until the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters becomes equal to a threshold electric current value or the moisture is removed from the one or more first areas.

At step612, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the pattern generation unit416, and/or the like, for generating/updating the moisture accumulation pattern. In an example embodiment, the moisture accumulation pattern may correspond to a repository that includes at least a list of one or more second areas on the display screen110where the first moisture detection unit412has historically detected moisture accumulation. Further, the moisture accumulation pattern may include a moisture accumulation count for each of the one or more second areas. The moisture accumulation count associated with a second area may correspond a number of times the first moisture detection unit412has detected moisture accumulation in the second area. Following table illustrates an example moisture accumulation pattern:

From the example moisture accumulation pattern, it can be observed that the first moisture detection unit412has detected 10 instances of moisture accumulation in the second area-1. Further, from the example accumulation pattern, it can be observed that the first moisture detection unit412has detected 7 instances of moisture accumulation in the second area-2.

In an example embodiment, to generate/update the moisture accumulation pattern, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to retrieve the information pertaining to the one or more first areas from the first memory device404. Thereafter, for a first area of the one or more first areas, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine whether moisture detection unit412has previously detected moisture accumulation in the first area from the moisture accumulation pattern. For example, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to correlate the location of the first area with the location of the one or more second areas (stored in the moisture accumulation pattern) to determine if the first moisture detection unit412has previously detected moisture accumulation in the first area. For example, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that there exists a second area in the moisture accumulation pattern that has same location as that of the first area, the first moisture detection unit412may determine that it has previously detected moisture accumulation in the first area. Accordingly, the first moisture detection unit412may update the moisture accumulation count of the second area. On the other hand, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that none of the one or more second areas in the moisture accumulation pattern has the same location as that of the first area, the first moisture detection unit412may determine that it has not previously detected moisture accumulation in the first area. Accordingly, the first moisture detection unit412may create a new entry in the moisture accumulation pattern to include the first area as a new second area. Further, the first moisture detection unit412may update the moisture accumulation count of the newly added second area as “1”.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the moisture accumulation pattern only including the list of the one or more second areas and the corresponding moisture accumulation. In an alternative embodiment, the moisture accumulation pattern may further include information pertaining to the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110in an instance at the first moisture detection unit412detects moisture accumulation on the one or more first areas on the display screen110. As discussed above, the display screen110may include the temperature sensing unit414that may be configured to utilize the temperature sensor (not shown) in the display screen110to determine the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110. The first moisture detection unit412may be configured to cause the temperature sensing unit414to determine the temperature of the ambient environment in response to the detection of the one or more first areas. Accordingly, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to update/generate moisture accumulation pattern. Following table illustrates another moisture accumulation pattern that includes the information pertaining to the detected temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110:

The example moisture accumulation pattern illustrated in the table 4 depicts that the moisture accumulation count in the second area-1 is 10 when the temperature of the ambient environment is 0 degrees, and the moisture accumulation count in the second area-1 is 14 when the temperature of the ambient environment is −5 degrees. The moisture accumulation count in the second area-2 is 7 when the temperature of the ambient environment is 0 degrees, and the moisture accumulation count in the second area-2 is 17 when the temperature of the ambient environment is −5 degrees.

In some example embodiments, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to utilize the moisture accumulation pattern to predict the one or more first areas on the display screen110where the moisture may get accumulated. The prediction of the one or more first areas is further described in conjunction withFIG. 12.

FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrate example methods1000aand1000bfor operating the display screen110based on the detection of moisture accumulation on the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

Referring to the example method1000a,the sectional view of the display screen110is depicted. The sectional view of the display screen110includes the glass substrate layer306and the photo transceiver layer302. In some examples, the glass substrate layer306may be divided into a first measurement area1002a,and a second measurement area1002b.Further, it can be observed that the moisture has accumulated on the first measurement area1002a.

The photo transceiver layer302includes the photo transmitters314a-314eand the second sensors316a-316e.The photo transmitters314a,314b,and314care positioned below the first measurement area1002a.Further, the photo transmitters314dand314eare positioned below the second measurement area1002b.Similarly, the second sensors316a,and316bare positioned below the first measurement area1002a.Further, the second sensors316c,316d,and316eare positioned below the second measurement area1002b.When the photo transmitters314a-314cgenerate the light signal, the portion of the light signals (e.g.,1004) get reflected back to the photo transceiver layer302due to presence of the moisture in the first measurement area1002a.The portion of the light signal (e.g.,1004) is detected by the second sensors316aand316b.On the other hand, the light signals generated by the photo transmitters316dand316epass through the glass substrate layer306, as moisture has not accumulated in the second measurement area1002b. Accordingly, the second sensors316c-316edo not receive the reflected portion of the light signals.

Because the second sensors316a-316breceive the reflected portion of the light signal, the second sensors316a-316bgenerate the second signals, which are received by the first photo transceiver interface unit410. Upon reception of the second signals, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to determine the amplitude measurement (i.e., the one or more characteristics) of the second signals, as is described in the step604. In an example embodiment, as discussed above, the determined amplitude measurement of the second signals corresponds to the measurement of reflectivity of the display screen110. Thereafter, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to compare the determined amplitude measurement of the second signal with the first amplitude threshold to determine whether the moisture has accumulated in the corresponding measurement area (e.g., measurement area1002a), as is described in the step806. For example, the first moisture detection unit412may determine whether the determined amplitude measurement of the second signals satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first amplitude threshold based on the comparison. If the determined amplitude measurement satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first amplitude threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may determine that the moisture may have got accumulated in the measurement area1002a. Accordingly, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may increase the electric current supplied to the photo transmitters314a-314cassociated with the first measurement area1002a,as is described in the step610.

Referring to the example method1000bas shown inFIG. 10B, the photo transmitters314a-314edo not generate light signals. In such an embodiment, the second sensors316a-316emay receive the light signals from the ambient environment round the display screen110. In such an embodiment, the second sensors316a-316bmay receive only a portion of the light signals from the ambient environment due to presence of the moisture in the first measurement area1002a. Therefore, the intensity of the light received by the second sensors316a-316bmay be less than the intensity of the light signals received by the second sensors316c-316e(depicted by dotted light signals1006). Accordingly, the amplitude of the second signals generated by second sensors316a-316bwill be less than the amplitude of the second signals generated by the second sensors316c-316e.

The first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to receive the second signals generated by the second sensors316a-316e.Thereafter, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to determine the amplitude measurement (measurement of the one or more characteristics) of each of the second signals. The first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine whether the amplitude measurement of the second signals satisfies (e.g., less than) the second amplitude threshold. Because the second sensors316a-316bmay receive only the portion of the light signal from the ambient environment, the amplitude of the second signals generated by the second sensors316a-316bmay satisfy (e.g., less than) the second amplitude threshold. Accordingly, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine that the moisture has accumulated in the first measurement area1002a.Thereafter, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to alter the electric current supplied to the photo transmitters314a-314c(associated with the first measurement area1002a).

FIG. 11illustrates a flowchart1100of a method for operating the display screen110based on the detection of the event of the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110satisfying (e.g., being less than or equal to) the temperature threshold, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step1102, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first temperature sensing unit414, and/or the like, for determining the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110. In an example embodiment, the first temperature sensing unit414may be configured to cause the temperature sensor in the display screen110to determine the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110.

At step1104, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first temperature sensing unit414, and/or the like, for determining whether the determined temperature of the ambient environment satisfies (e.g., less than or equal to) the temperature threshold. In an example embodiment, the temperature threshold may correspond to a value of temperature below which there is a high likelihood of moisture accumulation on the display screen110. For example, if the temperature threshold is 5 degrees Celsius, and if the temperature of the ambient environment dips below 5 degrees Celsius, there is a high likelihood of moisture accumulation on the display screen110.

If the first temperature sensing unit414determines that the determined temperature satisfies (e.g., less than or equal to) the temperature threshold, the controller402may be configured to perform the step1106. However, if the first temperature sensing unit414determines that the determined temperature does not satisfy (e.g., greater than) the temperature threshold, the controller402may be configured to repeat the step502.

At step1106, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, and/or the like, for detecting the event. The detected event corresponds to the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110being below the temperature threshold. Thereafter, at step1108, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for identifying the one or more first areas from the one or more measurement areas based the moisture accumulation pattern, as is further described in conjunction withFIG. 12.

At step1110, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for altering the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters associated with the one or more first areas using methodologies described above in conjunction with the step610. In some examples, as discussed above, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to increase the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters causing the one or more photo transmitters to heat. This further leads to heating of the one or more first areas, which prevents the moisture accumulation in the one or more first areas. Because the one or more first areas are identified based on the moisture accumulation pattern and accordingly are proactively heated, moisture accumulation on the display screen110is proactively prevented.

FIG. 12illustrates a method for identifying the one or more first areas based on the moisture accumulation pattern, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step1202, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining a moisture accumulation probability for each of the one or more measurements areas. In an example embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the moisture accumulation probability based on the moisture accumulation pattern. For example, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine, for a measurement area of the one or more measurement areas, the moisture accumulation count. In some examples, as discussed above, the moisture accumulation pattern includes the list of the one or more second areas (where the moisture accumulation was previously detected) and the corresponding moisture accumulation count. Therefore, the first moisture detection unit412may determine the moisture accumulation count for the measurement area from the moisture accumulation pattern. For example, referring to table 3, the first moisture detection unit412, may be configured to determine that the measurement area at the location ((0,0)(3,3)(0,3)(3,0)) (i.e., the second area-1) on the display screen110has the moisture accumulation count of 10.

Further, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine a total moisture accumulation count from the moisture accumulation pattern. In an example embodiment, the total moisture accumulation count may correspond to a total number of times the first moisture detection unit412has detected moisture accumulation on the display screen110. For example, referring to table 3, the first moisture detection unit412determines that total moisture accumulation count as 17 (i.e., the sum of the moisture accumulation count associated with the second area-1 and the moisture accumulation count associated with the second area-2). Thereafter, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the moisture accumulation probability for the measurement area based on the moisture accumulation count associated with the measurement area and the total moisture accumulation count. For instance, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the moisture accumulation probability using the following equation:

P⁡(m)=Moisture⁢⁢accumulation⁢⁢counttotal⁢⁢moisture⁢⁢accumulation⁢⁢count(1)
Where,
P(m): moisture accumulation probability associated with the measurement area m.

To this end, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the moisture accumulation probability for the measurement area at the location ((0,0)(3,3)(0,3)(3,0)) as 0.6. Similarly, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the moisture accumulation probability for each of the one or more measurement areas.

At step1204, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining, for the one or more measurement areas, whether the respective moisture accumulation probability satisfies (e.g. is greater than or equal to) a first probability threshold. In an example embodiment, the first probability threshold may correspond to a value of moisture accumulation probability beyond which there is a high likelihood of moisture accumulation. In some examples, the first probability threshold may be pre-stored in the first memory device404during manufacturing of the display screen110.

If the first moisture detection unit412determines that the moisture accumulation probability of a measurement area of the one or more measurement areas satisfies (e.g. is greater than) the first probability threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step1206. At step1206, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for classifying the measurement area as the first area. Thereafter, the controller402may be configured to perform the step1110.

However, if the first moisture detection unit412determines that the moisture accumulation probability of the measurement area does not satisfy (e.g., less than) the first probability threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to repeat the step1204for remaining measurement areas of the one or more measurement areas.

In an example embodiment, based on the method described in the flowchart1200, the first moisture detection unit412identifies the one or more first areas from the one or more measurement areas that have a high moisture accumulation probability in comparison to other measurement areas in the one or more measurement areas. After the identification of the one or more first areas, the controller402may be configured to perform the step1108.

In some embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the identifying the one or more first areas based on only on the moisture accumulation pattern, as is illustrated in table 3. In an alternative embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to identify the one or more first areas based on the moisture accumulation pattern and the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110. In such an embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may utilize the moisture accumulation pattern that includes the temperature data along with the moisture accumulation count associated with the one or more second areas (i.e., the measurement areas where the moisture accumulation was previously detected by the first moisture detection unit412). For example, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to utilize the moisture accumulation pattern illustrated in table 4 for identification of the one or more first areas. One such method of identification of the one or more first areas is described in conjunction withFIG. 13.

FIG. 13illustrates a flowchart1300of another method for identifying the one or more first areas based on the moisture accumulation pattern, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step1302, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first temperature sensing unit414, and/or the like, for determining the current temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110. In an example embodiment, the first temperature sensing unit414may be configured to utilize similar methodologies as described in the step1102to determine the current temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110.

At step1304, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for retrieving a list of second areas from the moisture accumulation pattern based on the determined current temperature. In an example embodiment, the list of second areas may correspond to the measurement areas on the display screen110where the moisture accumulation was previously detected at the determined current temperature. For example, if the current temperature is −5 degrees Celsius, the first moisture detection unit412may determine that previously the moisture accumulation was detected in the second area-1 and the second area-2 (referring to table 4). Further, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to retrieve the moisture accumulation count associated with the second areas in the retrieved list of second areas. For example, the first moisture detection unit412determines that the second area-1 has moisture accumulation count of 14 at −5 degrees' Celsius temperature. Similarly, the first moisture detection unit412may retrieve the moisture accumulation count of the second area-2 from the moisture accumulation pattern (referring to table 4).

Thereafter, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to repeat the steps1202,1204, and1206to identify the one or more first areas. For example, the first moisture detection unit412may determine the moisture accumulation probability for each of the one or more measurement areas in the display screen110based on the moisture accumulation count included in the list of second areas and the total moisture accumulation count determined from the list of second areas. For example, the first moisture detection unit412determines, from the list of second areas, that the moisture accumulation count of the measurement area at the location ((0,0)(3,3)(0,3)(3,0)) is 14 when the temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110is −5 degrees' Celsius. Further, the first moisture detection unit412determines that the total moisture accumulation count is 31 when the temperature of the ambient environment is −5 degrees Celsius. Thereafter, based on the moisture accumulation count and the determined total moisture accumulation count, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the moisture accumulation probability for each of the one or more measurement areas.

Further, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine, for the measurement area of the one or more measurement areas, whether the determined moisture accumulation probability satisfies (e.g., greater than) the first probability threshold. If the first moisture detection unit412determines that the moisture accumulation probability associated with the measurement area satisfies (e.g., greater than) the first probability threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may classify the measurement area as the first area.

In some example embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to identifying the one or more first areas based on automatic detection of moisture accumulation on the display screen110(based either on the moisture accumulation pattern or based on the transmissivity/reflectivity of the displays screen110). In an alternative embodiment, the operator108may provide a touch input on the displays screen110to indicate the first area where the moisture may have got accumulated. One such method of identification of the first area based on the reception of the touch input is described in conjunction withFIG. 14.

FIG. 14illustrates a flowchart1400of a method for operating the display screen110based on detection of the event (for example, a reception of touch input), according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step1402, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for receiving the first signals from a set of first sensors of the plurality of first sensors. In an example embodiment, the reception of the first signals may be indicative of the reception of the touch input from the operator108on the display screen110. Further, the first touch interface unit408receives the first signals from the set of first sensors and detects the event as the reception of the touch input.

At step1404, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for determining the location of the set of first sensors on the display screen110. As discussed above, the first memory device404includes data pertaining to the plurality of first sensors. The data includes the location information of the plurality of first sensors and the unique address associated with each first sensor of the plurality of first sensors. In an example embodiment, based on the reception of the first signals, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to uniquely identify the set of first sensors of the plurality of first sensors318that has received the touch input. Thereafter, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to determine the location of the set of first sensors318on the display screen110from the data pertaining to the plurality of first sensors318stored in the first memory device404.

At step1406, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for identifying the one or more areas on the display screen110based on the determined location of the set of first sensors. As discussed, because the first memory device404includes the information pertaining to the unique address and the location of each of the plurality of first sensors318, the first touch interface unit408determines the location of the set of first sensors from the first memory device404. Based on the location of the set of first sensors, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to identify the one or more areas. In some examples, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to consider the one or more identified areas as the one or more first areas. The identification of the one or more first areas is further described inFIG. 16.

In some examples, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to identify the one or more areas as the areas on the display screen110that have received the touch input. In an alternative embodiment, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to identify the one or more areas based on a gesture input received from the operator108. In an example embodiment, the gesture may correspond to an action performed by the operator108that involves one or more set of first sensors receiving the touch input from the operator108in a predetermined sequence. For example, the operator108provides a gesture, which causes a first set of first sensors to generate the first signals followed by a second set of first sensors to generate the first signals. In such embodiment, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to first receive the first signals from the first set of first sensors followed by the first signal from the second set of first sensors. In some examples, the first set of first sensors is located adjacent to the second set of first sensors. Further, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to identify the area as the location of the one or more set of first sensors. For example, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to identify the area as the location of the first set of first sensors and the second set of first sensors.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to identify the area as the location of the one or more sets of first sensors and an area encompassed by the one or more one or more sets of first sensors, based on the gesture performed by the operator108. For example, if the operator108provides touch input to draw a closed loop on the display screen110, the first touch interface unit408, in such an embodiment, may be configured to identify the area that at least includes the area encompassed by the closed loop.

At step1408, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for altering the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters associated with the one or more first areas (identified in the step1404). In an example embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to utilize similar methodologies as described in the step610to alter the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters.

At step1410, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for generating/updating a display screen usage pattern. In an example embodiment, the display screen usage pattern may include information pertaining to one or more third areas on the display screen110which has historically received the touch input from the operator108. In an example embodiment, the display screen usage pattern may further include location information pertaining to the one or more third areas and a touch input count associated with each of the one or more third areas. In an example embodiment, the touch input count may correspond to a number of times that a third area of the one or more third areas have received the touch input from the operator108. Following table illustrates an example display screen usage pattern:

From the aforementioned table, it can be observed that the third area-1 at the location ((0,0)(3,3)(0,3)(3,0)) has historically received 10 touch inputs. Similarly, the third area-2 at the location ((13,13)(20,20)(13,20)(20,13)) has historically received 7 touch inputs.

On the other hand, if, based on the comparison of the location of the identified area and the locations of the one or more third areas, the touch interface unit408determines that the identified area is not present in the display screen usage pattern, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to update the display screen usage pattern to include the identified area as a new third area. Further, the touch interface unit408may be configured to update the touch input count of the new third area to 1.

In some examples, the moisture detection unit412of the display screen110may be configured to utilize the display screen usage pattern to identify a set of third areas from the one or more third areas which may regularly receive touch input from the operator108. Because the set of third areas may regularly receive the touch input, the controller402may instruct the first photo transceiver interface unit410to proactively heat the set of third areas so that moisture does not get accumulated in the set of third areas. The prediction of the set of third areas is further described in conjunction withFIG. 17.

In some example embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to altering the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters every time the touch input is received on the display screen110. Additionally or alternatively, the method described in the flowchart1400may be performed based on the current temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110. Such an implementation is described in conjunction withFIG. 15.

FIG. 15illustrates a flowchart1500of another method for operating the display screen110based on detection of the event of reception of the touch input on the display screen110while the temperature of the ambient environment satisfies (e.g. is less than) the temperature threshold, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step1502, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first temperature sensing unit414, and/or the like, for determining the current temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110. In an example embodiment, the first temperature sensing unit414may be configured to determine the temperature of the ambient environment using the similar methodologies as described in the step1102.

At step1504, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first temperature sensing unit414, and/or the like, for determining whether the determined current temperature satisfies (e.g. is less than) the temperature threshold. If the first temperature sensing unit414determines that the determined current temperature satisfies (e.g., less than) the temperature threshold, the controller402may be configured to perform step1402ofFIG. 14. However, if the first temperature sensing unit414determines that the current temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110does not satisfies (e.g., greater than) the temperature threshold, the first temperature sensing unit414may be configured to repeat the step502inFIG. 5.

As discussed above in the flowchart1400, the controller402may instruct the first photo transceiver interface unit410to heat the one or more first areas (i.e., the one or more areas that have received the touch input from the operator108) to avoid moisture accumulation in the one or more first areas.

FIG. 16illustrates an example method1600for identifying the one or more first areas, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

The example method1600illustrates that the display screen110includes the plurality of first sensors318. Further, the example method depicts that the set of first sensors1602of the plurality of first sensors318has generated the first signals (depicted by the1604). The generated first signals are transmitted to the first touch interface unit408. On receiving the first signals, the first touch interface unit408may generate a list of first sensors (e.g., table1606) that includes the location of each first sensor in the set of first sensors from which the first touch interface unit408has received the first signals. In some examples, the list of the first sensors includes the location information of each first sensor in the set of first sensors. For example, from the table1606, it can be observed that the list of first sensors includes first sensors located at the coordinates (3,3), (0,3), (0,0), and (2,2). Thereafter, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to utilize techniques such as, Cartesian coordinates system, to determine periphery of an area1608. The periphery of the area is defined in such a manner that the area1608includes the first sensors in the list of first sensors (e.g., table1606).

After the identification of the area1608(which has received the touch input), the moisture detection unit412may be configured to consider the identified area as the first area. Accordingly, the photo transceiver interface unit410alters the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters included in the first area to heat the first area. Heating the first area avoid moisture accumulation in the first area.

FIG. 17illustrates a flowchart1700of another method of operating the display screen110based on the detection of the event of the temperature of the ambient environment satisfying (e.g., less than) the threshold temperature, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step1702, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first temperature sensing unit414, and/or the like, for determining the current temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110. In an example embodiment, the first temperature sensing unit414may be configured to determine the temperature of the ambient environment using the similar methodologies as is described in the step1102.

At step1704, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first temperature sensing unit414, and/or the like, for determining whether the determined current temperature satisfies (e.g. is less than) the temperature threshold. If the first temperature sensing unit414determines that the determined current temperature satisfies (e.g., less than) the temperature threshold, the controller402may be configured to perform the step1706. However, if the first temperature sensing unit414determines that the current temperature of the ambient environment around the display screen110is does not satisfy (e.g., greater than) the temperature threshold, the first temperature sensing unit414may be configured to repeat the step502.

At step1706, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for identifying a set of third areas from the one or more third areas that may have high probability of receiving the touch input from the operator108. In an example embodiment, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to utilize the display screen usage pattern to identify the set of third areas. The identification of the set of third areas is described later in conjunction withFIG. 18.

In some examples, after the identification of the set of third areas, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to identify the set of third areas as the one or more first areas. Thereafter, at step1708, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for altering the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters using the methodologies as is described above in the step610. In an example embodiment, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may increase the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters associated with the one or more first areas causing the one or more photo transmitters to heat, which prevents accumulation of the moisture in the one or more first areas of the display screen110.

FIG. 18illustrates a flowchart1800of a method for identifying the set of third area from the one or more third areas on the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step1802, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for retrieving the display screen usage pattern from the first memory device404. As discussed, the display screen usage pattern includes information pertaining to the one or more third areas that have historically received the touch input from the operator108. Further, as discussed, the information in the display screen usage pattern further includes the touch input count associated with each of the one or more third areas.

At step1804, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for determining a touch input reception probability for each of the one or more third areas. In an example embodiment, the touch input reception probability may correspond to a likelihood of a third area of the one or more third areas receiving the touch input. In an example embodiment, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to determine the touch input reception probability for each of the one or more third areas based on the touch input count and the total touch input count. For example, referring to table 5, the first touch interface unit408, may be configured to determine that the third area-1 has the touch input count of 10. Further, the first touch interface unit408may determine, from table 5, that total touch input count is 17.

Thereafter, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to determine the touch input reception probability for a third area of the one or more third areas based on the touch input count associated with the third area and the total touch input count. For instance, the touch interface unit408may be configured to determine the touch input reception probability using the following equation:

For example, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to determine the touch input reception probability for the third area-1 as 0.6. Similarly, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to determine the touch input reception probability for each of the one or more third areas.

At step1806, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for determining, for the third area of the one or more third areas, whether the respective touch input reception probability satisfies (e.g. is greater than or equal to) a second probability threshold. If the first touch interface unit408determines that the touch input reception probability of the third area of the one or more third areas satisfies (e.g., greater than) the second probability threshold, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to perform the step1808. At step1808, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for classifying the third area as the set of third areas. Thereafter, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to repeat the step1806for remaining third areas of the one or more third areas. However, if the first touch interface unit408determines that the touch input reception probability of the third area does not satisfy (e.g., less than) the second probability threshold, the first touch interface unit408may be configured to repeat the step1806for remaining third areas of the one or more third areas.

In an example embodiment, based on the method described in the flowchart1800, the first touch interface unit408identifies the set of third areas from the one or more third areas that have a high touch input reception probability in comparison to other third areas in the one or more third areas. After the identification of the set of third areas, the controller402may be configured to perform the step1708.

In some embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to identifying the one or more first areas either based on the touch input reception probability (i.e., flowchart1700and flowchart1800) associated with the one or more third areas on the display screen110or based on the determination of the moisture accumulation probability (i.e., the flowchart1100and the flowchart1200) associated with the one or more measurement areas. In an alternative embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to identify the one or more first areas based on both the touch input reception probability associated with the one or more third areas and the moisture accumulation probability associated with the one or more measurement areas. One such method of identification of the one or more first areas is described in conjunction withFIG. 19.

FIG. 19illustrates a flowchart1900of another method for identifying the one or more first areas, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step1902, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining the moisture accumulation probability for each of the one or more measurement areas. In an example embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the moisture accumulation probability based on the methodologies described in the flowchart1200. At step1904, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first touch interface unit408, and/or the like, for determining the touch input reception probability for each of the one or more third areas based on the methodologies described in the flowchart1800.

In some examples, the one or more measurement areas on the display screen110may include the one or more third areas (which has received the touch input from the operator108). As discussed above, the display screen110includes the one or more measurement areas throughout the span of the display screen110. Further, as discussed above, the operator108may have provided touch inputs on the one or more third areas on the display screen110. Therefore, a first set of measurement areas of the one or more measurement areas may be included in the one or more third areas. In some examples, the operator108may have not provided touch input on certain portion of the display screen110. Therefore, a second set of measurement areas of the one or more measurement areas may not be included in the one or more third areas.

Because the first set of measurement areas has received the touch inputs from the operator108, the first set of measurement areas may have both the touch reception probability and the moisture accumulation probability associated with them. The following table illustrates the moisture accumulation probability and the touch reception probability associated with each of the one or more measurement areas:

TABLE 6The moisture accumulation probability and thetouch reception probability associated witheach of the one or more measurement areas.MoistureTouch inputaccumulationMeasurement areareception probabilityprobabilityMeasurement area-10.30.5Measurement area-400.3Measurement area-30.70.2

From table 6, it can be observed that the measurement area-1 and measurement area-3 has both the touch input reception probability and the moisture accumulation probability associated with them. Therefore, the measurement area-1 and measurement area-2 are part of the first set of measurement areas. On the other hand, the measurement area-2 only has the moisture accumulation probability associated with it. Therefore, the measurement area-2 is part of the second set of measurement areas.

At step1906, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining a score for each of the one or more measurement areas based on the touch input reception probability and the moisture accumulation probability associated with each of the one or more measurement areas. In an example embodiment, the score associated with a measurement area may correspond to a weighted sum of the touch input reception probability and the moisture accumulation probability associated with the measurement area. The first moisture detection unit412may be configured to utilize following equation to determine the weighted sum:
Score=wm×moisture accumulation probability+wt×touch input reception probability   (2)
Where,
wm: weight associated with the moisture accumulation probability; and
wt: weight associated with the touch input reception probability.

In an example embodiment, the weight associated with the moisture accumulation probability (hereinafter referred to as the first weight) may correspond to a measurement of importance assigned to the moisture accumulation probability in comparison to the importance of the touch input reception probability. In an example embodiment, the weight associated with the touch input reception probability (hereinafter referred to as second weight) may correspond to a measurement of importance assigned to the touch input reception probability in comparison to the moisture accumulation probability. In an example embodiment, the first weight and the second weight may be pre-stored in the first memory device404during manufacturing of the display screen110. In an alternative embodiment, the operator108of the display screen110may provide input corresponding to the value of the first weight and the second weight during initialization of the display screen110, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

For example, if the first weight is 0.7 and the second weight is 0.3, more importance is assigned to moisture accumulation probability in comparison to the touch input reception probability. To this end, the moisture detection unit412may determine the score for the measurement area-1 as 0.44. Similarly, the moisture detection unit412may determine the score for the measurement area-2 and measurement area-3 as 0.49 and 0.35, respectively.

After determining the score for each of the one or more measurement areas, at step1908, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for determining whether the score associated with a measurement area satisfies (e.g., greater than) a score threshold. If the first moisture detection unit412determines that the score associated with the measurement area satisfies (e.g., greater than) the score threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to perform the step1910. At step1910, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first moisture detection unit412, and/or the like, for classifying the measurement area as the first area. Thereafter, the step1908is repeated for other measurement areas in the one or more measurement areas.

However, if at the step1908, the first moisture detection unit412determines that the score associated with the measurement area does not satisfy (e.g., less than) the score threshold, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to repeat the step1908for other measurement areas in the one or more measurement areas.

FIG. 20illustrates a flowchart2000of another method for operating the display screen110based on the detection of the event of display of the predetermined content on the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

At step2002, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for determining whether the predetermined content is being displayed on the display screen110. In some embodiments, because the controller402controls the display of content on the display screen110(based on the electric current supplied to the plurality of photo transmitters), the controller402can determine what content is being displayed through which photo transmitter of the plurality of photo transmitters314. Accordingly, the controller402may determine whether the content displayed on the display screen110includes the predetermined content.

If the controller402determines that the predetermined content is being displayed on the display screen110, the controller402may be configured to perform step504. However, if the controller402determines that the predetermined content is not being displayed on the display screen110, the controller402may be configured to repeat the step502.

At step2004, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for determining the location on the display screen110where the predetermined content is being displayed on the display screen110. As discussed, because the controller402controls the display of the content on the display screen110, controller402can determine the one or more photo transmitters of the plurality of photo transmitters314that are displaying the predetermined content (e.g., based on the unique address associated with each of the plurality of photo transmitters). Further, based on the unique address associated with the one or more photo transmitters, the controller402may be configured to determine the location of the one or more photo transmitters on the display screen110. For example, the controller402may be configured to utilize the location information, pertaining to the plurality of photo transmitters314, stored in the first memory device404to determine the location of the one or more photo transmitters.

After determining the location of the one or more photo transmitters, in an example embodiment, the first moisture detection unit412may be configured to determine the location of the one or more photo transmitters as the first area.

At step2006, the display screen110includes means, such as the control system310, the controller402, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, and/or the like, for altering the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters causing the one or more photo transmitters to heat. Heating of the one or more photo transmitters may cause the first area to heat, which avoids moisture accumulation in the first area.

In some example embodiments, the scope of the disclosure is not limited to the predetermined content being displayed at the fixed location on the display screen110. In an alternative embodiment, the operator108may be configured to provide input such as, but not limited to, the touch input to modify the location of the predetermined content on the display screen110. The controller402may be configured to determine updated location of the predetermined content on the display screen110and accordingly update the first area. Thereafter, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may alter the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters associated with the updated first area causing the updated first area to heat.

Such embodiment allows the operator108to modify the heating region by simply providing input (e.g., touch input) to modify the location of the predetermined content on the display screen110.

FIG. 21illustrates an example method2100of identifying the first area based on display of the predetermined content on the display screen110, according to one or more embodiments described herein.

The example method2100illustrates the display screen110displaying the content2102. Further, the content2102includes a floating icon2104, which corresponds to the predetermined content. As discussed, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to alter the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters displaying the predetermined content on the display screen110. This causes the first area where the floating icon is being displayed to heat and accordingly avoid moisture accumulation in the first area.

For example, the operator108observes that moisture has accumulated in the portion2106of the display screen110(e.g., depicted by2105). In such embodiment, the operator108may provide touch input on the display screen110to move the floating icon2104to the portion2106(depicted by2108). The controller402of the display screen110may receive the touch input corresponding to the change in the location of the floating icon2104. In response to the reception of the touch input corresponding to the change in location of the floating icon2104, the controller402may be configured to instruct the one or more photo transmitters at the updated location (i.e., the portion2106) of the display screen110to display the floating icon2104. Further, the first photo transceiver interface unit410may be configured to alter the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters at the updated location (i.e., the portion2106), causing the portion2106on the display screen110to heat. In some examples, heating of the portion2106may cause the removing of the accumulated moisture.

In some examples the scope of the disclosure is not limited to implementing the functionalities described above in conjunction with theFIGS. 5-21, in the display screen110. In an alternative embodiment, the functionalities described in theFIGS. 5-21may be implemented in the electronic device102, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 22illustrates a block diagram2200of the electronic device102, according to one or more embodiments described herein. The electronic device102includes a processor2202, a second memory device2204, a second communication interface2206, a second touch interface unit2208, a second photo transceiver interface unit2210, a second moisture detection unit2212, a second temperature sensing unit2214, and a second pattern generation unit2216.

The processor2202may be embodied as means including one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated inFIG. 22as a single controller, in an embodiment, the processor2202may include a plurality of controllers and signal processing modules. The plurality of controllers may be embodied on a single electronic device or may be distributed across a plurality of electronic devices collectively configured to function as the circuitry of the electronic device102. The plurality of controllers may be in operative communication with each other and may be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the circuitry of the electronic device102, as described herein. In an example embodiment, the processor2202may be configured to execute instructions stored in the first memory device404or otherwise accessible to the processor2202. These instructions, when executed by the processor2202, may cause the circuitry of the electronic device102to perform one or more of the functionalities, as described herein.

Whether configured by hardware, firmware/software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor2202may include an entity capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor2202is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor2202may include specifically configured hardware for conducting one or more operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor2202is embodied as an executor of instructions, such as may be stored in the first memory device404, the instructions may specifically configure the processor2202to perform one or more algorithms and operations described herein.

Thus, the processor2202used herein may refer to a programmable microprocessor, microcomputer or multiple processor chip or chips that can be configured by software instructions (applications) to perform a variety of functions, including the functions of the various embodiments described above. In some devices, multiple processors may be provided dedicated to wireless communication functions and one processor dedicated to running other applications. Software applications may be stored in the internal memory before they are accessed and loaded into the processors. The processors may include internal memory sufficient to store the application software instructions. In many devices, the internal memory may be a volatile or nonvolatile memory, such as flash memory, or a mixture of both. The memory can also be located internal to another computing resource (e.g., enabling computer readable instructions to be downloaded over the Internet or another wired or wireless connection).

In an example embodiment, the second memory device2204, the second communication interface2206, the second touch interface unit2208, the second photo transceiver interface unit2210, the second moisture detection unit2212, the second temperature sensing unit2214, and the second pattern generation unit2216are structurally and functionally similar to the first memory device404, the first communication interface406, the first touch interface unit408, the first photo transceiver interface unit410, the first moisture detection unit412, the first temperature sensing unit414, and the first pattern generation unit416, respectively. For example, the processor2202may be configured to detect an event on the display screen110of the electronic device102. In an example embodiment, the event on the display screen may corresponds detection of moisture accumulation on the display screen. Further, the processor2202may be configured to identify one or more first areas on the display screen based on the detected event. As discussed, the one or more first areas may correspond to areas on the display screen110where the moisture may have got accumulated. Thereafter, the processor2202may instruct the second photo transceiver interface unit2210to alter the electric current supplied to one or more photo transmitters associated with the one or more first areas of the display screen. For instance, the second photo transceiver interface unit2210may increase the electric current supplied to the one or more photo transmitters causing the one or more photo transmitters to heat, which in turn further heats the one or more first areas.

In some example embodiments, certain ones of the operations herein may be modified or further amplified as described below. Moreover, in some embodiments additional optional operations may also be included. It should be appreciated that each of the modifications, optional additions or amplifications described herein may be included with the operations herein either alone or in combination with any others among the features described herein.

The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may include a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a special-purpose processor such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively or in addition, some steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.

In one or more example embodiments, the functions described herein may be implemented by special-purpose hardware or a combination of hardware programmed by firmware or other software. In implementations relying on firmware or other software, the functions may be performed as a result of execution of one or more instructions stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media and/or one or more non-transitory processor-readable media. These instructions may be embodied by one or more processor-executable software modules that reside on the one or more non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage media. Non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable storage media may in this regard comprise any storage media that may be accessed by a computer or a processor. By way of example but not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, disk storage, magnetic storage devices, or the like. Disk storage, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc™, or other storage devices that store data magnetically or optically with lasers. Combinations of the above types of media are also included within the scope of the terms non-transitory computer-readable and processor-readable media. Additionally, any combination of instructions stored on the one or more non-transitory processor-readable or computer-readable media may be referred to herein as a computer program product.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although the figures only show certain components of the apparatus and systems described herein, it is understood that various other components may be used in conjunction with the supply management system. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the steps in the method described above may not necessarily occur in the order depicted in the accompanying diagrams, and in some cases one or more of the steps depicted may occur substantially simultaneously, or additional steps may be involved. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.