What is Sensor? How does this work in our Phone-Computer-TV? — Abhishek InfoTech

Abhishek InfoTech
11 min readMar 28, 2021

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Friends, in today’s time we are completely surrounded by technology. Because in today’s age, life is not possible without technology. We use technology every day in one way or the other. Whether we use our phone or watch TV or use a vehicle to travel somewhere or do any kind of work, technology plays an important role in all our works and makes our tasks easier. Sometimes we do not even know this, but we all use technology in many ways. Like we use our smartphones every day. Now we know that we are using our phone, which is a technical thing. But we do not know that many types of sensors are present inside them and we use them all the time. Whether using it as a phone or using a computer or while watching TV.

If you use a smartphone, then you have probably heard about the sensor. But it is possible that you do not know about them and it may be that you have never heard of the sensor before. But now you don’t have to worry. Because here you will get complete information about the sensor. So let’s know what a sensor is and how it works in our phone, computer, television or any electronic device?

What is Sensor?

Sensor literally means sensing. That is, one who feels or experiences. A sensor is a type of device used to feel things like the position, direction, speed, temperature of an object. Sensors are used in many types of electronics devices. Among these, smartphones, television, smart TV, fitness band, remote, radio, computer, laptop, satellite are the main ones.

To understand the sensor better, you can say that just as humans or any creatures feel cold, heat, wind or any weather, in the same way, feel something in our phone, computer or any electronic device. Sensors are used to do this.

How does the sensor work?

Friends, many types of sensors are present in our electronic devices. All these sensors have different functions. But all these sensors have the same purpose that we can use our device better and more easily. Meaning that the utility of those devices can be increased. With sensors, our devices become more useful and easier. You can understand it this way, assuming you are playing a game of car racing on your smartphone and you have to tap with your finger to the right or left to turn the car right or left. Playing games in this way becomes a bit tricky. But if there is a ‘gyroscope’ sensor in your smartphone, then you will not have to tap on the right or left to turn the car. For this, you just have to tilt the phone to the right or left and the car will automatically turn.

Working of Sensors in Phone-Computer-TV

We always use the remote to use the television. Here sensors play a big role in communicating between remote and TV. By pressing the remote’s button, the remote’s sensor contacts the TV’s sensor. This allows the remote to send input to the TV. So that you can perform the task of changing the channel or any other operation.
The sensor also helps in communicating between the smartphone and the smartwatch fitness band. The important thing is that our phone has the most sensors compared to the rest of the device. This includes our phone’s touch screen, camera, flashlight, fingerprint, screen light sensors.
Sensors are also used in cars and motorbikes. Light sensors are used in the car’s speed meter. With the help of this, the light turns off during the daytime and its light starts to burn automatically as soon as it becomes dark. Nowadays, sensors are also used in the headlights of vehicles. Apart from this, sensors are also used for communicating between smartphones and car-bikes. Such as bike modes, driving modes are included. This allows the user of the opposite side to make a phone call to know whether he is currently on the bike or driving.
Refrigerators of homes that are fridges also have sensors installed. The most common sensor in this is the door light sensor. As soon as we open the door of the fridge, a light starts burning inside and as soon as we close the door of the fridge, that light goes off. The sensor also helps in using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. They tell us that we are completely surrounded by sensors.

Types of Sensor?

Friends, there are many types of sensors and they have different functions, which are quite important. So let’s know about all those sensors and their important works

The vision and imaging sensor acts as a detector. Which detects the presence of objects or colors inside an electronic device. It then transforms it into a visual image to display its information.

A photoelectric sensor is an electronic device that detects objects passing through it. In addition, it is also able to detect the color, hygiene and location of objects. The photoelectric sensor consists of a transmitter that serves to transmit the light beam. In addition, it receives the light signal by the receiver to determine whether the object passing by it is an object or not, if it is an object then how far apart it is. It works by measuring the change in light with the help of an emitter. It is used in such things as counting, robotic peaking, automatic doors. It is mostly used as a safety in the industry.

An infrared sensor is an electronic device that senses the surroundings in a rough aspect. Infrared sensor is most commonly used in technology. Infrared sensors are also used as remote control. The range of an infrared sensor depends on its magnetic spectrum. Frequency of infrared sensor is higher than microwave and visible light. Infrared sensors are called IR sensors in short form. The IR sensor can measure the heat of the object and also detect the motion of the object. This type of sensor measures only infrared radiation and not emission. So we call it passive IR sensor. Objects emitting infrared radiation are invisible to the eye and only an infrared IR sensor can detect them. The emitter is like an IR LED and the detector is like an IR LED receptor. When IR radiation falls on the IR sensor, it detects it.

A fingerprint sensor is a type of electronic security system that uses fingerprints for biometric authentication to provide information access to the user or to approve the transaction. It is a biometric security system. In the old times, biometric fingerprint sensor or fingerprint scanner was used in such things as police action, big industry, cybercrime. But in today’s time, the system of fingerprint can be seen in our phone itself. The biggest reason for using fingerprint sensor is that the skin of the fingertips of the people are streaked according to the circular pattern. These lines are not easily visible to us. When we look at the skin of the fingers carefully, these streaks are visible to us. Due to these lines, a different identity of human beings is created, which never changes. This is the reason that in today’s time, fingerprint sensor is being used very much as security.

Ambient light sensor is a kind of light detector, which works to detect the light. It is most commonly used in things like smartphones, laptops, smart TVs. With this help, the light of the screen display changes automatically. If you look at the screen display in more light or sunlight, then the brightness of the device increases according to the light. If it is dark or night time, the screen display is reduced. With the help of ambient light sensor, the brightness of the screen keeps on fluctuating according to the light. This helps us to see our phone or any device better.

A proximity sensor is also a type of detector, which detects anything when it comes into its normal range without touching it. It can also be said that a proximity sensor converts the presence or motion of any object into an electrical signal. Whenever something falls within the range of proximity sensors, it leaves the infrared beam out and monitors its reflections. When the sensor senses some kind of reflection, it confirms that there is an object nearby.

The accelerometer sensor works based on the velocity of the body. It tells how to hold a smartphone or any electronic device. The auto rotate feature in the phone works with this. If we rotate the phone manually then it also works with the help of this sensor. Silent as soon as the phone touches the mobile, the call is also cut with the help of accelerometer sensor when the phone is turned upside down.

A pedometer sensor is an electronic device that is usually portable and electronic or electro mechanical, which detects the motion of a person’s hands or feet and counts all their steps. Because all the steps of a person are different. Pedometer sensor is the advanced version of accelerometer sensor. It is rarely used in smartphones. But with time its usefulness is increasing and in the coming time it can be used in much greater quantity. This sensor is mostly used in the smartwatch fitness band.

A compass sensor is a device that serves to provide the correct direction with respect to the northern and southern poles of the Earth. With the help of this sensor, the needle in the compass always points towards the geometric north direction of the Earth. The digital compass sensor is actually a magnetometer that can cover the Earth’s magnetic field.

The magnetometer sensor is used in most phones. It works with the help of compass sensor. The magnetometer sensor works in the right direction in the phone. Google Map or any map app works with the help of this sensor. With the help of this sensor, any metal detector app detects the metal placed nearby. It works better than compass sensors. This is why magnetometer sensors are now used instead of compass sensors in most smartphones.

The geomagnetic sensor operates on the basis of gravity. It is a composite form of gravity sensor and magnetometer sensor. Compass work is done with its help. Which allows us to know all the directions. Apart from this, this sensor is also capable of detecting metal. The metal detector app is also supported by geomagnetic sensors.

Humidity sensors / detectors / transducers are electronic devices that measure moisture content or water content in the air and convert these measurements into signals that can be used as inputs for control or display devices. Key specifications include maximum response time, minimum and maximum operating temperatures. The Humidity sensor tells you how much moisture is in the air. If the moisture content in the environment around you increases or decreases, then the Humidity sensor sends you a signal via phone that there are going to be some changes in the weather.

Temperature sensor is an electronic device that detects thermal parameters. A temperature sensor usually relies on an RTD or thermistor to measure the temperature and convert it to an output voltage. Temperature sensors are used in many processes. As such, it is used to measure the thermal characteristics of gases, liquids and solids in industries. It is also configured for general and special purpose use.

Pressure sensors are used to measure pressure. Pressure sensor is an electro-mechanical device that detects per unit area in gases or liquids. In addition, the control and display provide signals to the input of the equipment. A pressure sensor typically uses a diaphragm and strain gauge bridge to detect and measure the force exerted against a unit area. Key features include sensor function, minimum and maximum working pressure, full-accuracy as well as specifically for the device. Pressure sensors are used for information about gas or fluid pressure for control or measurement.

A smoke sensor is a device that usually indicates a fire signal. Fire alarm works with the help of this sensor.

A biosensor is a type of analytical tool used to detect a chemical substance. Biosensors detect biological elements, eg, tissues, microorganisms, organelles, cell receptors, enzymes, antibodies, nucleic acid, etc., as biologically generated material or biomimetic components.

Measurement of atmospheric pressure is done with the help of barometer sensors. This sensor measures the temperature and pressure of the atmosphere and also measures the height of the ground from the sea level. This sensor is also used for scientific research. It also lets you know your accurate location on the GPS.

Ultrasonic sensors are considered quite useful. It is used in determining the distance. With this help, any object in front can be detected. It works through the Arduino Project Radar. It is used in many things such as self-driving cars, eyes of robots and safety devices.

Heart rate sensors are used to measure heart rate in the body. This sensor is designed to monitor human health information. This sensor is mostly seen in fitness band smartwatches.

The iris sensor is used as a face detector. It detects human face and eyes. This sensor is mostly used as a security. This sensor is used in banks and large industries. But nowadays this sensor is being used in most phones. Nowadays, this sensor is used as a face lock in almost all smartphones.

The spot sensor monitors the human body. With its help, it provides information about blood and everything else in the body. This sensor is used in some smartphones and smartwatch fitness bands.

Hall sensors are used in smartphones. When we place the flip cover or some metal on top of the smartphone display, the phone display turns off and the phone’s display turns on as soon as we remove it from the top of the display. This happens only with the help of hall sensors.

A gyroscope sensor is a device that can measure and maintain the orientation and angular velocity of an object. These are more advanced than accelerometers. They can measure the tilt and lateral orientation of an object while accelerometers can only measure linear motion. With the help of gyroscope sensors, we can work according to 360 degree rotation or angle in our phone. With the help of this, you can make 3D photo work. Most of these gyroscope sensors help us to play 3D games in our phones. Suppose you are playing a game of car racing on your smartphone and you have to tap with your finger on the right or left to turn the car right or left. Playing games in this way becomes a bit tricky. But if the gyroscope sensor is present in your smartphone, then you will not have to tap on the right or left to turn the car. For this, you just have to tilt the phone to the right or left and the car will automatically turn. The gyroscope sensor is mostly used in smartphones.

Touchscreen sensors are mostly used in phones. But apart from this, there are many devices where touchscreen sensors are used. Such as laptop computers, ATMs, video games etc. If we are able to use our phone or any other devices by touching its screen, then this can be done only with the help of touchscreen sensor.

With the help of a thermometer sensor, we can find the temperature inside an instrument and the temperature outside the environment. This sensor is mostly used in phones. But apart from these, there are many devices where thermometer sensors are used. Such as microwave ovens, fridges etc. With the help of this sensor, through the phone, we are able to know what is the temperature of the environment around us. Or how will the weather be today? We know all these things with the help of thermometer sensor.

With the help of microphone sensors, we can listen to our voice and can also record them. With the help of microphone sensor, we can make our voice far away from one place. It is mostly used in phones.

With the help of this sensor, we can scan a QR code or a bar code with a phone camera. There is private identity or private information inside the QR code and bar code. If we are able to scan a bar code or a QR code, then it can only be done with the help of bar code — QR code sensor.

Mobile Phone Sensors

Originally published at https://abhishekinfotech.com on March 28, 2021.

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