Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100294938 | Sensing Assembly for Mobile Device - An infrared sensing assembly for allowing detection of a location of an external object, as well as a mobile device employing such an assembly and related methods of operation, among other things, are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensing assembly includes a pyramid-type housing structure having a central surface and multiple outer surfaces each of which extends in an inclined manner away from the central surface. The sensing assembly further includes multiple phototransmitters each positioned proximate to a respective one of the outer surfaces, and a photoreceiver positioned proximate to the central surface, with each respective photoelectric device being oriented so as to correspond to its respective surface. The sensing assembly is operated so that light is emitted from the phototransmitters, reflected by the object, and received by the photoreceiver. By processing signals from the photoreceiver that are indicative of the received light, the external object's location is determined. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295781 | Electronic Device with Sensing Assembly and Method for Interpreting Consecutive Gestures - A method for interpreting at least two consecutive gestures includes providing a sensing assembly having at least one photoreceiver and a plurality of phototransmitters, wherein each phototransmitter is positioned to emit infrared light away from the electronic device about a corresponding central transmission axis, wherein each central transmission axis is oriented in a different direction with respect to the others, and controlling emission of infrared light by each of the phototransmitters during each of a plurality of time periods. During each of the plurality of phototransmitters and for each of the plurality of time periods, a corresponding measured signal is generated which is indicative of a respective amount of infrared light which originated from that phototransmitter during that time period and was reflected by the external object prior to being received by a photoreceiver. The measured signals are evaluated to identity a first gesture, and the electronic device is controlled in response to identification of the first gesture according to a first mode of operation. A parameter of a second gesture is also determined, and the electronic device is controlled in response to the determined parameter of the second gesture according to a second mode of operation. | 11-25-2010 |
20110148752 | Mobile Device with User Interaction Capability and Method of Operating Same - In one embodiment a method of operating a mobile device includes sensing either an orientation or a movement of the mobile device, determining a command based on the sensed orientation or sensed movement, sensing a proximity of an object in relation to at least a portion of the mobile device, and executing the command upon the proximity of the object being sensed. In another embodiment, a method of operating a mobile device governs a manner of interaction of the mobile device relative to one or more other mobile devices. In at least some embodiments, at least one of the mobile devices includes an accelerometer and an infrared proximity sensor, and operation of the mobile device is determined based upon signals from those components. | 06-23-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100295773 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH SENSING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR INTERPRETING OFFSET GESTURES - A method for controlling an electronic device includes providing as part of the electronic device a display screen for displaying content and a sensing assembly including at least one photoreceiver and a plurality of phototransmitters, wherein each phototransmitter is positioned to emit infrared light away from the electronic device about a corresponding central transmission axis, wherein each central transmission axis is oriented in a different direction with respect to the others. Emission of infrared light by each of the phototransmitters is controlled during each of a plurality of time periods as an external object moves in a first specified pattern of movement and then moves in a second specified pattern of movement which is offset from a generally centered position with respect to the sensing assembly, and measured signals are generated. The measured signals are evaluated to identify the first specified pattern of movement of the object, to detect a reference offset location corresponding to an end of the first specified pattern of movement of the object, and to determine, for each of a group of time periods when the object is moving in the second specified pattern of movement, a corresponding location of the object during that time period. A centering operation is performed in response to the identification of the first specified pattern of movement, wherein the centering operation moves an indicator to an initial predetermined reference location on the display screen, wherein the predetermined reference location is then associated with the reference offset location; and sequential locations of the indicator on the display screen are controlled in accordance with the corresponding determined locations of the object relative to the reference offset location. | 11-25-2010 |
20100297946 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONDUCTING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MOBILE DEVICES - Methods and systems for conducting communication between mobile devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of achieving communications between first and second mobile devices that are in proximity with one another includes transmitting a first signal from the first mobile device and receiving a first reflected signal at that mobile device, the first reflected signal being the first signal reflected by an object in proximity to that mobile device. The method also includes transmitting a second signal from the first mobile device for receipt by the second mobile device upon being reflected by the object, and receiving a confirmation signal from the second mobile device in response to the second signal. The method further includes achieving a paired relationship of the first mobile device relative to the second mobile device, whereby because of the paired relationship the first and second mobile devices are capable of additional communications therebetween. | 11-25-2010 |
20120157114 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADAPTING AN ATTRIBUTE MAGNIFICATION FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Techniques and technologies are presented for adapting an attribute magnification for a mobile communication device. An output device for the attribute is connected to the mobile communication device. A sensor tracks distance of a user's head in relation to the mobile communication device; while a controller initiates a setting phase for magnification change and subsequently a tracking phase, opposite from the setting phase, for dynamically adjusting the attribute from the mobile communication device. | 06-21-2012 |
20130093679 | User Interface with Localized Haptic Response - An interface peripheral ( | 04-18-2013 |
20130344862 | Mobile Device with User Interaction Capability and Method of Operating Same - In one embodiment a method of operating a mobile device includes sensing either an orientation or a movement of the mobile device, determining a command based on the sensed orientation or sensed movement, sensing a proximity of an object in relation to at least a portion of the mobile device, and executing the command upon the proximity of the object being sensed. In another embodiment, a method of operating a mobile device governs a manner of interaction of the mobile device relative to one or more other mobile devices. In at least some embodiments, at least one of the mobile devices includes an accelerometer and an infrared proximity sensor, and operation of the mobile device is determined based upon signals from those components. | 12-26-2013 |
20140232694 | Sensing Strip for Providing Touch and Gesture Controls - An infrared sensing strip includes a substantially linear substrate board, a receiver diode, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) linearly aligned along the linear substrate board. Each of the LEDs is operative to transmit in a different direction. The infrared sensing strip utilizes prismatic films arranged to refract light from each of the LEDs in different directions. In one embodiment, the receiver diode is positioned centrally on the linear substrate board, and includes at least four LEDs, with two of each being disposed on either side of the receiver diode. Four prismatic films each cover a respective one of the LEDs and are arranged to refract light from each respective LED in one of four different directions. The small scale of the infrared sensing strip enables various applications including a scroll control, volume control, a heart rate monitor and various transmit and receive features. | 08-21-2014 |
20140239982 | Wearable Device with Capacitive Sensor and Method of Operation Therefor - A wearable device includes a capacitive sensor and capacitance sensing and calibration logic operative to determine that component drift for a capacitive sensor cannot be determined based on a capacitance sensed by the capacitive sensor. The capacitance sensing and calibration logic deactivates a drift calibration operation for the capacitive sensor while the capacitive sensor senses the capacitance. The capacitance sensing and calibration logic is further operative to determine that the capacitance sensed by the capacitive sensor is within a detection threshold that indicates that a conductive surface is within proximity of the capacitive sensor. The capacitance sensing and calibration logic can also determine that a wearable device, that includes the capacitive sensor, is in motion based on sensed intermittent changes in the capacitance. Various other methods of operation are disclosed. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239984 | Capacitive Sensor - One example disclosed wearable device includes a first housing portion having a conductive section and a non-conductive section. The conductive section is connected to ground. A second housing portion includes a printed circuit board (PCB) with a conductor on the PCB surface positioned beneath the non-conductive section. The conductor on the PCB surface and the conductive section form a capacitor of a capacitive sensor. The wearable device may also include a first adhesive layer between a surface of the non-conductive section of the first housing portion and the PCB surface. A second adhesive layer, coplanar with the first adhesive layer, may be applied between a surface of the conductive section of the first housing portion and the PCB surface. The first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer form a water tight seal that prevents liquids from penetrating into at least the second housing portion. | 08-28-2014 |
20150069242 | Electronic Device and Method for Detecting Presence - An electronic device for detecting presence includes a housing, an infrared (“IR”) sensor disposed in the housing, and a waveguide included in the housing. The waveguide is configured to collect heat or IR signal emitted by a person from outside of the housing and guide the collected IR signal to the IR sensor. The IR sensor is configured to receive the IR signal via the waveguide and generate a signal in response thereto. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069243 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING PRESENCE - An electronic device for detecting presence includes a housing and an infrared (“IR”) sensor. The housing includes an outer surface having an opening formed thereon. The IR sensor is disposed in the housing and adjacent to the opening. The IR sensor has an unobstructed path and line of sight through the opening to outside of the housing. The IR sensor is configured to receive heat emitted by a person from outside of the housing via the opening and to generate a signal in response thereto. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069248 | Electronic Device with Gesture Detection System and Methods for Using the Gesture Detection System - A method in an electronic device, the method includes projecting infrared (“IR”) light from a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) disposed proximate to the perimeter of the electronic device, detecting, by a sensor, IR light originating from at least two of the plurality of LEDs reflected from off of a person, and carrying out a function based on the relative strength of the detected IR light from the LEDs. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069249 | Electronic Device with Gesture Detection System and Methods for Using the Gesture Detection System - A method in an electronic device, the method includes projecting infrared (“IR”) light from a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) disposed proximate to the perimeter of the electronic device, detecting, by a sensor, IR light originating from at least two of the plurality of LEDs reflected from off of a person, and carrying out a function based on the relative strength of the detected IR light from the LEDs. | 03-12-2015 |
20150072742 | Electronic Device and Method for Detecting Presence and Motion - An electronic device for detecting presence and motion includes a housing, a first infrared (“IR”) sensor, and a second IR sensor. The housing includes a first corner having a first plurality of openings formed thereon, and a second corner having a second plurality of openings formed thereon. The first IR sensor is disposed proximate to the first corner and has an unobstructed path and line of sight to outside of the electronic device via the first plurality of openings. The second IR sensor is disposed proximate to the second corner and has an unobstructed path and line of sight to outside of the electronic device via the second plurality of openings. The openings of the first plurality of openings are oriented toward the first IR sensor in different directions. The openings of the second plurality of openings are oriented toward the second IR sensor in different directions. | 03-12-2015 |