Electronic device and method in an electronic device

Abstract

Electronic device (100) comprising: a housing (101); one or more processors (116); at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202) operable with the one or more processors (116) and comprising an infrared signal receiver (220) for receiving an infrared emission (205, 206; 601) from an object outside the housing (101); at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) operable with the at least one or more processors (116) and comprising a signal transmitter (207, 208) and a corresponding signal receiver (213, 214); wherein the one or more processors (116) are operative to actuate the at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) when the at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202) receives the infrared emission (205, 206; 601) from the object, wherein the one or more processors (116) are configured to select a sampling rate of the corresponding signal receiver (213, 214) depending on a distance between the object and the housing (101).

Description

BACKGROUND TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The invention relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to portable electronic devices with proximity sensors. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Proximity sensors detect the presence of nearby objects before such objects contact the device in which the proximity sensors are located. For example, some proximity sensors emit an electromagnetic or electrostatic field. A receiver then receives reflections of the field from the nearby object. The proximity sensor detects changes in the received field to detect changes in the position of nearby objects based on changes in the electromagnetic or electrostatic field resulting from the object's positional approach to the sensor. In electronic devices, such proximity sensors are used to control the output of audio and video devices.

[0003] For example, if a device determines that a user's face is in close proximity to the device, the device may reduce the speaker volume to avoid overstimulating the user's eardrums. In another example, the proximity sensor may turn off the device's display to conserve power when the device is near the user's ear. In this way, these types of wireless communication devices dynamically adjust the operation of the audio and video output components when those components are positioned very close to, or adjacent to, a user's ear. For a transmitter emitting an electromagnetic or electrostatic field in these proximity sensing systems to operate correctly, the transmitter consumes power and must be continuously operational. This can reduce runtime.

[0004] WO 2012 / 166 109 A1 discloses a method for waking an electronic device, in which the device is woken from a sleep mode depending on whether a person is detected in the vicinity of the device.

[0005] A digital mirror system with proximity sensors is known from US 2007 / 0 040 033 A1. US 2009 / 0 073 128 A1 discloses a touch- and pressure-sensitive keyboard with proximity sensors. DE 10 2011 078 534 A1 discloses an evaluation method for a capacitive touch sensor. US 2010 / 0 149 113 A1 and US 2012 / 0 018 637 A1 show proximity detectors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention aims to provide improved proximity sensor systems and new uses thereof.

[0007] To achieve this object, the invention provides an electronic device according to claim 1. A method in an electronic device is the subject of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the following description, and the figures.

[0008] According to one aspect, the present invention provides an electronic device that may be portable or carryable in one or more configurations and that includes a housing. The housing may include a front major surface, a rear major surface, a first side edge, and a second side edge. In a preferred configuration, a display or other user interface component is disposed along the front major surface. One or more processors may be operated with the display or user interface.

[0009] The electronic device has at least one proximity sensor component operable with the one or more processors. The at least one proximity sensor component preferably comprises only a receiver and no corresponding transmitter. The electronic device also includes one or more proximity detectors with transmitter-receiver pairs. A proximity sensor component as used herein preferably includes only a receiver and no corresponding transmitter.

[0010] The proximity sensor component includes a signal receiver for receiving signals from objects outside the housing of the electronic device. The signal receiver is an infrared signal receiver for receiving infrared emission from an object, such as a human being, when the object is in proximity to the electronic device. The proximity sensor component is preferably configured to receive infrared wavelengths from approximately four to approximately ten micrometers. This wavelength range is advantageous in one or more preferred embodiments because it corresponds to the wavelength of heat radiated by the human body.In addition, in a preferred embodiment, detection of wavelengths in this range from greater distances is possible than, for example, the detection of reflected signals from the transmitter of a proximity detector component, which preferably operates with shorter wavelengths of approximately 860 nanometers.

[0011] Accordingly, the one or more processors and the other components of the electronic device may preferably be in power-saving mode or sleep mode when no user is in the vicinity of the electronic device. During this time, the at least one proximity sensor component, which in one or more preferred embodiments consumes very little power, may be active. When a user enters the reception range of the at least one proximity sensor component, infrared emissions from the user are detected by the at least one proximity sensor component. The one or more processors may then actuate the at least one proximity detector component when the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emission.

[0012] As described above, in one or more preferred embodiments, the proximity sensor components comprise only signal receivers that receive infrared emissions at wavelengths of approximately four and ten micrometers. In contrast, proximity detector components used herein include a signal receiver and a corresponding signal transmitter. While each proximity detector component may correspond to one of many different types of proximity sensors, including, for example, a capacitive, magnetic, inductive, optical / photoelectric sensor, laser sensor, acoustic / sound sensor, radar-based sensor, Doppler-based sensor, thermal-based sensor, and radiation-based sensor, in one or more preferred embodiments, the proximity detector components comprise infrared transmitters and receivers.In a preferred embodiment, the infrared transmitters are configured to transmit infrared signals with a wavelength of approximately 860 nanometers, which is preferably one or two orders of magnitude shorter than the wavelengths received by the proximity sensor components. The proximity sensor components may have signal receivers that receive similar wavelengths, i.e., approximately 860 nanometers.

[0013] In one or more preferred embodiments, the proximity sensor components have a larger sensing range than the proximity detector components due to the fact that the proximity sensor components preferentially detect heat emitted by a person's body, while the proximity detector components preferentially rely on reflections of infrared light emitted by the preferred infrared signal transmitter. For example, the proximity sensor component may be capable of detecting a person's body heat from a distance of approximately 3.05 m (10 feet) or more, whereas the signal receiver of the proximity detector component may only be capable of detecting signals reflected from the transmitter at a distance of 0.30 to 0.60 m (1 to 2 feet) due to performance considerations.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one proximity detector component can be operated at a first sampling rate when a person is farther away from the device. As the person moves closer, as determined by either the at least one proximity sensor component or the at least one proximity detector component, the at least one proximity detector component can be switched to a second, higher sampling rate. When operating at the second, higher sampling rate, in one or more preferred embodiments, the user can provide user input to the device via the at least one proximity detector component to control the device.

[0015] After actuating the at least one proximity detector component, in one or more preferred embodiments, the one or more processors may actuate one or more user interface devices, for example, the display, a microphone, a motion detector, an audio output, etc. In a preferred embodiment, these interface devices may be actuated when the infrared signal receiver receives the infrared emissions from the user. In another preferred embodiment, these user interface components—which have a relatively high power consumption compared to the proximity sensors—may only be actuated when the at least one proximity detector component receives reflected signals from the user at the first, lower sampling rate.In other preferred embodiments, the user interface components can only be actuated when the at least one proximity detector component receives reflected signals from the user at the second, higher sampling rate to "wake" the device. In each of these scenarios, actuation of the user interface device ensures that the electronic device is ready for operation as soon as the user reaches the device, without requiring further user action to bring the device out of low-power or sleep mode.

[0016] A simple use case is helpful in illustrating how one or more embodiments of the invention may be applied. When a user is away from an electronic device and not within detection range, components other than the proximity sensor component and its associated detection circuitry may preferably be placed into a low-power or sleep mode to conserve power, including any proximity detector components. In one or more preferred embodiments, the proximity sensor component and its associated circuitry are the only sensing device that remains active to monitor a 360-degree sensing area over a range of approximately 3.05 m (10 feet) from the electronic device.In a preferred embodiment, the consumption of the proximity sensor component in this mode is in the order of only five microamperes.

[0017] When a person enters the detection radius of the device, the at least one proximity sensor component receives an infrared emission from the person's body heat. When this occurs, the at least one proximity sensor component can monitor the user's distance from the electronic device by measuring the intensity of the received infrared emission. Once the person approaches a predetermined distance from the electronic device, for example, a distance of approximately 1.83 m (6 feet), the at least one proximity sensor component can actuate the at least one proximity detector component. In a preferred embodiment, the initial actuation of the at least one proximity detector component occurs at a relatively low sampling rate, for example, at a few pulses per second.

[0018] Once the user is at a further, shorter predetermined distance from the device, for example, at a distance of approximately 0.60 m (2 feet), the at least one proximity sensor component may cause the at least one proximity detector component to operate at a second, higher sampling rate, for example, approximately fifty pulses per second. In this preferred mode of operation, the at least one proximity detector component may be used as a user interface device for controlling the operation of the device. In particular, the user may provide inputs to the device via the proximity detector components to control the operation of the device.

[0019] Through the application of one or more embodiments of the present invention, user presence may initially be detected with the at least one proximity sensor component. For example, when a user enters a room and is still away from the electronic device, the at least one proximity sensor component may be the only active sensor of the electronic device. The at least one proximity sensor component may detect the user's presence by receiving infrared emissions from the person's body heat. As the user moves closer to the electronic device, the at least one proximity sensor component may trigger the at least one proximity detector component to activate, preferably at a first, low sampling rate of, for example, a few pulses per second.When the at least one proximity detector component operates at the first sampling rate, the user can preferably provide input to the device, for example, by touch. When the user moves very close to the device, for example, within 0.60 m (2 feet), the at least one proximity sensor component can preferably actuate the at least one proximity detector component at a second, higher sampling rate, such as 50 Hz or more. The user can preferably provide a gesture input to the at least one proximity detector component at the second sampling rate.

[0020] Once the at least one proximity detector component is operating at the second sampling rate, the one or more processors may actuate one or more user interface devices. In one embodiment, for example, a motion detector and a microphone may be actuated in anticipation of subsequent actions by the user, such as speaking or touching the device following presence detection. Further actions will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows an explanatory diagram of a portable electronic device according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 2 shows illustrative configurations of proximity sensor components according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 3 shows an illustrative configuration of a proximity sensor component according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 4 shows an illustrative diagram of locations or positions along an electronic device at which one or more proximity sensor components may be arranged according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 5 is an explanatory view of an apparatus having one or more proximity sensor components including infrared signal receivers according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 6 shows the illustrative device of Fig. 5, which receives an infrared emission from an object outside the housing and performs one or more method steps, each according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. Figure 7 shows the illustrative device of Fig. 5, which receives an infrared emission from an object outside the housing and performs one or more method steps, each according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. Figure 8 shows the illustrative device of Fig. 5, which receives an infrared emission from an object outside the housing and performs one or more method steps, each according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 9 shows an illustrative device receiving user input according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 10 shows an illustrative method step according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 11 shows a further illustrative method step according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 12 shows a further illustrative method step according to one or more embodiments of the invention; Fig. 13 shows an illustrative method according to one or more embodiments of the invention.

[0021] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated simply and clearly and are therefore not necessarily to scale. The dimensions of some elements in the figures may, for example, be exaggerated compared to other elements in order to better understand the embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Before describing the embodiments according to the invention in detail, it should be noted that the embodiments primarily consist of combinations of method steps and device components related to the use of proximity sensors to control operating modes of an electronic device. Descriptions of processes or blocks in flowcharts are to be understood as modules, segments, or portions of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention neither recite the implementations of common business methods directed toward processing business information, nor do they apply a known business process to a particular Internet technological environment. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention do not create or alter contractual relationships by utilizing common computer functions and common network operations. On the contrary, embodiments of the invention utilize techniques that, when applied to electronic devices and / or user interface technology, enhance the function of the electronic device itself by reducing power consumption, extending runtime, and improving the overall user experience to address problems unique to technology addressing device-user interaction.

[0024] Alternative implementations are contemplated, and it is understood that, depending on the functionality involved, functions may be performed outside the order shown or described, including in a substantially identical or reverse order. Accordingly, in the drawings, device components and method steps are represented by conventional symbols where appropriate, but only those specific details necessary to understand the present embodiments are shown, so as not to obscure the description with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0025] It should be understood that embodiments of the present invention consist of one or more conventional processors and one-time stored program instructions controlling the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuitry, some, most, or all of the proximity sensor control functions to control the operation of the device as described herein. The non-processor circuitry includes, but is not limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuitry, power source circuitry, and user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method for performing device control in response to one or more proximity sensor components.Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that does not contain stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASCIs) in which each function, or some combination of certain functions, is implemented as custom logic. Of course, the two approaches could also be used in combination. For this reason, methods and means for these functions are described herein.It is further believed that one of ordinary skill in the art, guided by the present ideas and principles, despite possibly considerable effort and a variety of design-related decisions motivated, for example, by the time available, the current state of the art, and economic considerations, will readily be able to generate such software instructions and programs and ASCIs with minimal experimentation.

[0026] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail. Reference is made to the drawings, wherein like or similar elements are designated by like or similar reference numerals throughout the figures. The following terms used in the following description and in the claims have, unless the context dictates otherwise, the meaning explicitly assigned to them: the meaning of "a" and "the" also includes the plural, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "at." Reference words such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one unit or measure from another, without any such relationship or order actually existing or implied between such units or measures. Reference numerals enclosed in parentheses indicate components shown in a figure other than the described figure.For example, if during the explanation of Figure A a device (10) is mentioned, this would refer to an element 10 which is not shown in Figure A but in another Figure.

[0027] It will be Fig. 1, which depicts an illustrative electronic device 100 configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. The electronic device 100 of Fig. 1 is a portable electronic device and is shown as a smartphone for illustrative purposes. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the illustrative smartphone may be replaced by another electronic device. For example, electronic device 100 could be a conventional desktop computer, a palmtop computer, a tablet computer, a gaming device, a media player, or other device.

[0028] This illustrative electronic device 100 has a display 102, which may optionally be touch-sensitive. In an embodiment where the display 102 is touch-sensitive, the display 102 may serve as the primary user interface 111 of the electronic device 100. Users may provide user input to the display 102 of such an embodiment using a finger, a stylus, or other object available near the display. In one embodiment, the display 102 is configured as an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED). However, it should be noted that other types of displays, including liquid crystal displays, will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0029] The exemplary electronic device 100 of Fig. 1 has a housing 101. In one embodiment, the housing 101 has two housing elements. A front housing element 127 is, in one embodiment, arranged around the periphery of the display 102. A rear housing element 128, in this illustrative embodiment, forms the back of the electronic device 100 and defines a rear major surface of the electronic device. Features may be integrated into the housing elements 127, 128. Examples of such features include, but are not limited to, an optical camera 129 or an optical speaker port 132, which in this embodiment are arranged on the rear major surface of the electronic device 100 as shown. In the illustrative embodiment, a user interface component 114, which may be a button or a touch-sensitive surface, may also be provided along the rear housing element 128.

[0030] In one embodiment, electronic device 100 has one or more ports 112, 113, which may include an analog port, a digital port, or combinations thereof. In this illustrative embodiment, port 112 is an analog port located at a first edge, ie, at the top edge of electronic device 100, while port 113 is a digital port located at a second edge opposite the first edge, which in the present embodiment is the bottom edge.

[0031] Fig. 1 also shows a schematic block diagram 115 of the electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 has one or more processors 116. In one embodiment, the one or more processors 116 may include an application processor and optionally one or more auxiliary processors. The application processor or the auxiliary processor, or both, may include one or more processors. The application processor or the auxiliary processor, or both, may be a microprocessor, a group of processing components, one or more ASICs, programmable logic, or other types of processing devices. The application processor and the auxiliary processor(s) are operable with the various components of the electronic device 100.The application processor and the auxiliary processor(s) may each be configured to process and execute executable software code to perform the various functions of the electronic device 100. A storage device, such as memory 118, may optionally store the executable software code used during operation by one or more processors 116.

[0032] In this illustrative embodiment, electronic device 100 also includes communication circuitry 125, which may be configured for wired or wireless communication with one or more other devices or one or more networks. The networks may include a wide area network, a local area network, and / or a personal area network. Examples of wide area networks include GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA-2000, iDEN, TDMA, 3GPP 2.5th generation GSM networks, 3GPP 3rd generation WCDMA networks, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, 3GPP2 CDMA communication networks, UMTS networks, E-UTRA networks, GPRS networks, iDEN networks, and other networks.

[0033] Communication circuitry 125 may also utilize wireless technology for communication, including, but not limited to, peer-to-peer or ad hoc communication such as HomeRF, Bluetooth, and IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, or n), and other forms of wireless communication such as infrared technology. Communication circuitry 125 may include wireless communication circuitry, a receiver or transmitter or transceiver, and one or more antennas 126.

[0034] In one embodiment, the one or more processors 116 may be responsible for performing the primary functions of the electronic device 100. For example, in one embodiment, the one or more processors 116 may include one or more circuits operable with one or more user interface devices 111, which may include the display 102, to present information to the user. The executable software code used by the one or more processors 116 may be configured as one or more modules 120 operable with the one or more processors 116. Such modules 120 may store instructions, control algorithms, etc.

[0035] In one embodiment, the one or more processors 116 are responsible for operating the operating system environment 121. The operating system environment 121 may include an operating system kernel 122 and one or more drivers, an application service layer 123, and an application layer 124. The operating system environment 121 may be configured as executable code running on one or more processors or in one or more control circuits of the electronic device 100.

[0036] The application layer 124 may be responsible for the operation of application service modules. The application service modules may support one or more applications or "apps." Examples of such applications that are Fig. 1 include a mobile phone application 103 for making voice telephone calls, a web browsing application 104 configured to allow the user to view web pages on the display 102 of the electronic device 100, an email application 105 configured to receive and send emails, a photography application 106 that allows the user to view images or videos on the display 102 of the electronic device 100, and a camera application 107 configured to capture still images (and optionally, videos). These applications are merely illustrative. Other applications will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description.The applications of application layer 124 may be configured as clients of application service layer 123 to communicate via application program interfaces (APIs) with service, message, event, or other interprocess communication interfaces. If auxiliary processors are used, they may be used to perform input / output functions, actuate user feedback devices, etc.

[0037] In one embodiment, one or more proximity sensors 108 may be operated with the one or more processors 116. In one embodiment, the one or more proximity sensors 108 include one or more proximity sensor components 140. The proximity sensors 108 may also include one or more proximity detector components 141. In one embodiment, the proximity sensor components 140 comprise only signal receivers. In contrast, proximity detector components 141 include a signal receiver and a corresponding signal transmitter.It should be noted that each proximity sensor component 140 and each proximity detector component 141 may be one of various types of proximity sensors, including, but not limited to, capacitive, magnetic, inductive, optical / photoelectric proximity sensors, laser proximity sensors, acoustic / sound proximity sensors, radar- or Doppler-based proximity sensors, thermal, and radiation-based proximity sensors. Other types of sensors will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0038] In one embodiment, proximity sensor component 140 includes an infrared signal receiver for detecting infrared emissions from a person. Accordingly, proximity sensor component 140 does not require a transmitter, as objects located outside the housing provide emissions that are received by the infrared receiver. Because no transmitter is required, each proximity sensor component 140 can operate at very low power levels. Simulations show that an array of infrared signal receivers can operate with a total power consumption of only a few microamperes. In contrast, a proximity detector component 141, which includes a signal transmitter for transmitting signals for radiating from an object to a corresponding signal receiver, can consume hundreds of microamperes to several milliamperes.

[0039] It will be briefly Fig. 2, which shows two proximity sensor components 201, 202 and two proximity detector components 204, each disposed at a corner of the electronic device 100. In this embodiment, each proximity sensor component 201, 202 includes a signal receiver 220, such as an infrared photodiode, for detecting an infrared emission 205, 206 from an object outside the housing 101 of the electronic device 100. No corresponding transmitter is included or required for the proximity sensor component 201, 202 to function. Because no active transmitter is included that emits signals, the respective proximity sensor component 201, 202 is sometimes referred to as a "passive" sensor.

[0040] In contrast, each proximity detector component 203, 204 may be an infrared proximity sensor array employing a signal transmitter 207, 208 that emits an infrared light beam 209, 210, which is reflected by a nearby object 211, 212, and received by a corresponding signal receiver 213, 214. For example, proximity detector components 203, 204 may be used to calculate the distance to a nearby object from characteristics associated with the reflected signals 215, 216. The reflected signals 215, 216 are detected by the corresponding signal receiver 213, 214, which may be an infrared photodiode used for detecting light reflected from a light-emitting diode (LED) that responds to modulated infrared signals and / or triangulates the received infrared signals.The reflected signals 215, 216 may also be used to receive a user input from a user by touch or by gesture input to the electronic device 100.

[0041] In one embodiment, the signal receivers of the proximity sensor components 201, 202 and the signal receivers 213, 214 of the proximity detector components 203, 204 can be configured to receive different wavelengths so that the reflected signals 215, 216 can be distinguished from the infrared emissions 205, 206. In other words, in one embodiment, an infrared signal receiver of a proximity sensor component 201, 202 can receive the infrared emissions 205, 206 at a first wavelength, while the signal receiver 213, 214 of the proximity detector components 203, 204 can receive the reflected signals 215, 216 at a second wavelength. In one embodiment, the second wavelength is shorter than the first wavelength. For example, the first wavelength can be between four and ten micrometers, while the second wavelength can be between 850 nanometers and one micrometer.These wavelengths are merely examples. Other wavelengths will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description.

[0042] In one embodiment, the proximity sensor components 201, 202 and the signal receivers 213, 214 of the proximity detector components 203, 204 may be configured to receive signals from different directions. For example, in one embodiment, the proximity sensor components 201, 202 may receive infrared emissions 205, 206 along the perimeter of the electronic device 100. In other words, in one embodiment, the infrared emissions 205, 206 are received by the proximity sensor components 201, 202 whose infrared emissions 205, 206 are along a direction extending to the side of Fig. 2 essentially parallel plane.

[0043] In contrast, in one or more embodiments, the proximity detector components 203, 204 may be configured to receive reflected signals 215, 216 from a different direction. For example, in one embodiment, the proximity detector components 203, 204 may be configured to receive the reflected signals 215, 216 from above the electronic device 100, e.g., orthogonal to the side of Fig. 2. The signal transmitters 207, 208 may be configured to transmit an infrared light beam 209, 210, which is reflected from a nearby object arranged above or around the display, 211, 212, orthogonally, ie from the side of Fig. 2 and upward. The reflected signal 215, 216 travels downward into the side and is received by a corresponding signal receiver 213, 214. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the infrared emissions 205, 206 are received at the edges of the electronic device 100, while the reflected signals 215, 216 are received from above the electronic device 100. It should be noted that, although the detection angle is illustrated as parallel to the side, the detection angle of the thermal sensor receiver may extend in the vertical direction in one or more embodiments because the openings in the housing are designed to allow for a reception angle of ninety degrees.

[0044] In one embodiment, the proximity sensor components 201, 202 and the proximity detector components 203, 204 may comprise at least two groups of components. For example, a first component group may be arranged at a first corner of the electronic device 100 and another component group may be arranged at a second corner of the electronic device 100. If the components, as in Fig. 3, are arranged at a corner 300 of the electronic device, the components may be located behind a grille 301 defining one or more openings through which the infrared emissions are received for the proximity sensor components (201, 202) and transmitted for the proximity detector components (203, 204).

[0045] In one embodiment, the grating 301 can define one or more receive beams in which infrared emissions can be received. Defining such receive beams can enable the proximity sensor components (201, 202) to detect motion by determining along which receive beam the respective emission is received. The proximity sensor components (201, 202) can also detect changes across receive beams to also detect motion.

[0046] The use of grating 301 may also enable component merging. For example, in one embodiment, both a proximity sensor component 201 and a proximity detector component 203 may be disposed behind a common grating 301, with one or more apertures used to direct the different receive and transmit beams. In one embodiment, each grating 301 may be associated with a lens 302 disposed behind grating 301 to assist in defining the receive and transmit beams. For example, a polycarbonate lens 302 may be disposed behind grating 301 and configured as a Fresnel lens with a predetermined number of slits, e.g., five or seven, to assist in defining the receive and transmit beams.

[0047] It should be noted that the corners 300 are not the only location where proximity sensor and detector components can be located. Reference will now be made to Fig. 4, which shows some of the many locations where proximity sensor components and proximity detector components may be located. These locations include corner locations 401, 402, 403, 404, edge locations 405, 406, end locations 407, 408, major surface locations 409, or location-based case-by-case locations 410. These locations or positions may be used individually or in combination to achieve the desired detection radius 411 and radial detection range 412 around the electronic device 100. For example, some components may be located along the front major surface of the electronic device 100, while other components may be located on the back major surface of the electronic device 100, etc. Other locations or positions will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description.

[0048] It will be repeated again Fig. 1. In one embodiment, the one or more processors 116 may generate instructions based on information received from one or more proximity sensors 108. The one or more processors 116 may generate instructions based on information received from a combination of the one or more proximity sensors 108 and one or more other sensors 109. The one or more processors 116 may receive the received information alone or in combination with other data, for example, data stored in the memory 118.

[0049] The one or more additional sensors 109 may include a microphone and a mechanical input component such as a knob or key selector sensor, touchpad sensor, touchscreen sensor, capacitive sensor, and switch. Touch sensors may be used to indicate whether the device is touched on the side edges, thereby indicating whether or not certain orientations or movements are intended by the user. The other sensors 109 may also include capacitive sensors on the surface / on the housing, audio sensors, and video sensors (such as cameras).

[0050] The additional sensors 109 may also include motion detectors such as accelerometers or gyroscopes. For example, an accelerometer may be incorporated into the electronic circuitry of the electronic device to indicate vertical orientation and a constant tilt and / or to indicate whether the device is stationary.

[0051] Additional components 110 operable with the one or more processors 116 may include output components such as video, audio, and / or mechanical outputs. The output components may include, for example, a video output component such as the display 102 or auxiliary devices such as a cathode ray tube, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an incandescent light, a fluorescent light, a front or rear projection display, and an LED display. Other examples of output components include audio output components such as a speaker port 132 or other alarm devices and / or buzzers and / or mechanical output components such as vibration- or motion-based mechanisms.

[0052] It goes without saying that Fig. 1 is for illustrative purposes only and is not a complete schematic representation of the various components required for an electronic device. Therefore, other electronic devices according to embodiments of the invention may include various other components described in Fig. 1 are not shown, or they may comprise a combination of two or more components or a division of a particular component into two or more separate components without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0053] In one or more embodiments, the electronic device 100 can operate in multiple operating modes. A first mode, referred to herein as the "default" operating mode, occurs when the electronic device 100 is not actively being used by the user. Instead, in one embodiment, the one or more processors 116 can be placed into a power-saving or sleep mode in the default operating mode while the one or more proximity sensor components 140 are active. In another embodiment, the one or more processors 116 cause at least the user interface and / or display to enter a power-saving or sleep mode when the infrared signal receiver of the one or more proximity sensor components 140 is not receiving infrared emissions from external sources.

[0054] Once the one or more proximity sensor components 140 receive an infrared emission from an object outside the housing 101 of the electronic device 100, the one or more processors 116 of the electronic device 100 may transition to an "active" mode of operation and are operable to actuate the proximity detector components 141 and, optionally, to actuate one or more user interface devices. In the active mode of operation, the one or more processors 116 actively operate the proximity detector components 141 at one of a plurality of sample rates.

[0055] As a result, in one example, the one or more proximity detector components 141, the user interface, and other components other than the proximity sensor component 140 may be in a sleep or power-saving mode in the default operating mode when a user is not using the electronic device 100. The one or more proximity sensor components 140 then actively monitor for the reception of infrared emissions, indicating that a user is within a reception radius of the one or more proximity sensor components 140. When infrared emissions are received from a source external to the housing 101 of the electronic device 100, the one or more processors 116 may detect this and may actuate the one or more proximity detector components 141 at a sampling rate.Once the person has moved close enough to the electronic device, the one or more processors 116 can actuate the one or more proximity detector components 141 at a second, higher sampling rate in anticipation of the user's next action. The one or more proximity detector components thus allow the user to arrive at the device in a state ready to receive user input, eliminating the need to first pick up the device, wake it from its standard operating mode, and wait for all systems to boot up.

[0056] This process is common in the Fig. 5-9. It is Fig. 5, in which the electronic device 100 is in standard operating mode. Most components, including the display 102, the one or more proximity detector components 141, the other sensors 109, and other components 110, are in their power-saving or sleep mode. However, the one or more proximity sensor components 140 are in their active mode, waiting to receive infrared emissions from an object outside the housing 101 of the electronic device 100. In other words, the one or more processors 116 operate at least the one or more proximity detector components 141 in a power-saving or sleep mode until the at least one proximity sensor component 140 receives an infrared emission from an object outside the housing 101.

[0057] As in Fig. 5, one or more signal receiving beams 501, 502, 503 can be defined within which infrared emissions are received, as described above with reference to Fig. 3. In this embodiment, the signal reception beams 501, 502, 503 define a 360° reception area around the device, with a reception radius 504 of approximately 3.05 m (10 feet). Since no user is located within the reception radius 504, the power consumption in the electronic device 100 can remain extremely low.

[0058] It will be Fig. 6. A user 600 enters the reception radius 504. The user's body heat causes an infrared emission 601 to be emitted to the one or more proximity sensor components 140 of the electronic device 100. When this occurs, the one or more processors 116, in one embodiment, are operative to actuate the one or more proximity detector components 141. The one or more proximity detector components 141 generate one or more signal reflection beams 602, 603, 604 within which infrared reflections from the signal transmitter of the one or more proximity detector components 141 are received by the signal receivers of the one or more proximity detector components 141. In this embodiment, the signal reflection beams 602, 603, 604 define a 360° reception area around the device, with a reflection radius 605 of approximately 0.61 m (2 feet).In one embodiment, the reflection radius 605 of the one or more proximity detector components 141 is smaller than the reception radius 504 of the one or more proximity sensor components (140).

[0059] As mentioned above with reference to Fig. 2, in another embodiment, the proximity sensor components 201, 202 and the signal receivers 213, 214 of the proximity detector components 203, 204 may be configured to receive signals from different directions. For example, in one embodiment, the proximity sensor components 201, 202 may receive infrared emissions 601 from a perimeter of the electronic device 100, while the proximity detector components 203, 204 may be configured to receive reflected signals 215, 216 from above the electronic device 100. Thus, the one or more signal reflection beams 602, 603, 604, which are shown around the electronic device 100 for clarity and to avoid obscuring the electronic device 100, could also be directed upward from the electronic device 100, as illustrated by the reflection beam 606.In such an embodiment, the proximity sensor components 201, 202 are configured for 360° edge detection of the user 600 within a long range, while the proximity detector components 203, 204 are used for proximity detection and gesture control over the display.

[0060] In one embodiment, the one or more processors (116) actuate the one or more proximity detector components 141 as soon as the user 600 enters the reception radius 504, as shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 7, in further embodiments, the one or more processors 116 do not actuate the one or more proximity detector components 141 until the user 600 moves within a predetermined distance 701, for example, a distance of 1.83 m (6 feet). In this latter case, the one or more proximity sensor components 140 may monitor the distance of the user 600 from the electronic device 100 and may cause actuation of the one or more proximity detector components 141 to further conserve power in the device 100 when the user is within the predetermined distance 701.

[0061] In one embodiment, the one or more processors 116 initially operate the one or more proximity detector components 141 at the first sampling rate when the at least one proximity sensor component 140 receives the infrared emissions from the user 600, regardless of the timing of actuation of the one or more proximity detector components 141. The first sampling rate is defined in the Fig. 6-7 by the signal reflection beams 602, 603, 604, which are depicted in a line width of 1 pt. However, the one or more processors 116 may monitor the user 600 with one or more proximity sensor components 140, or alternatively with one or more proximity detector components 141, to determine a distance of the user 600 from the housing 101 of the electronic device. The one or more processors 116 may transition from the first sampling rate to a second sampling rate depending on the determined distance, as shown in Fig. 8 is shown.

[0062] It will be Fig. 8. The user 600 has reached a second predetermined distance 801 from the housing 101 of the electronic device 100. Accordingly, the one or more processors 116 now operate the at least one proximity detector component 141 at the second sampling rate if the distance is less than a predetermined threshold defined by the second predetermined distance 801. The second sampling rate is Fig. 8 by the signal reflection beams 602, 603, 604, which are shown in a line width of 2 pt, which is thicker than the line width of 1 pt, by which the first sampling rate in the Fig. 6-7 is shown.

[0063] In one embodiment, the second predetermined distance 801 is approximately 0.30 m (1 foot) or less. In one embodiment, the second sampling rate is higher than the first sampling rate. For example, the second sampling rate may be greater than or equal to 20 Hz, while the first sampling rate is less than or equal to 5 Hz. These sampling rates are merely an example. Other sampling rates will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description.

[0064] In one or more embodiments, the one or more processors 116 may receive user input to control one or more functions of the electronic device 100 based on the signals received by the at least one proximity detector component 141 when operating at the second sampling rate. Fig. 9 shown.

[0065] It is now Fig. 9. When the one or more proximity detector components 141 are in active mode, infrared reflections received by the one or more proximity detector components 141 from a hand of the user 600 may be interpreted as user input. For example, the user 600 may slide their thumb 901 along the side of the electronic device 100, thereby causing infrared reflections from a sensor to be delivered to a corresponding receiver. As the thumb 901 is moved along the housing 101 of the electronic device 100, different intensities may be present. The one or more processors 116 of the electronic device may interpret this as user input, for example, to scroll images 1002 across the display 102.Further examples of functions that the user 600 can control by reflecting varying infrared emissions to the proximity detector components 141 include controlling the volume of an audio output, controlling the image magnification, controlling the magnification level, etc. These are merely examples. Other functions will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present description.

[0066] In one or more embodiments, the type of user input that the electronic device 100 can receive may depend on which proximity sensor 108 is active. This is shown in the Fig. 10-12 shown. In Fig. 10, the one or more proximity sensor components (140) are active, while the one or more proximity detector components 141 are in a power-saving or sleep mode. Accordingly, the electronic device 100 can receive input via the detection of a user by detecting infrared emissions in the one or more signal reception beams 501, 502, 503.

[0067] In Fig. 11, the one or more proximity detector components 141 operate at the first sampling rate. Because this rate is relatively low in one or more embodiments, the resolution of user input actions is not as high as when the one or more proximity detector components 141 operate at the second sampling rate. Accordingly, a user may, for example, provide a simple input to the electronic device 100. In this case, the user holds up a hand 1101 to issue a "display on" command to the electronic device 100, for example.

[0068] In Fig. 12, however, the one or more proximity detector components 141 operate at the higher sampling rate. With the better resolution, the movement of the user's hand 1101 can be detected. Accordingly, the user can provide a gesture input 1201 to the electronic device 100 to control actions of the device. The one or more processors 116 disposed in the electronic device 100 can be configured to detect, upon a complex gesture from the user, one or more predetermined characteristics of the gesture based on the reflected signals received by the one or more proximity detector components 141 and can adjust how the electronic device 100 operates in response.

[0069] For example, the one or more processors 116 can change images on the display, the output intensity, the output color, etc.

[0070] It is now Fig. 13, an example method 1300 is illustrated in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. Step 1301 of the method includes determining a proximity of an object to a housing of the portable electronic device with at least one proximity sensor component including an infrared signal receiver for receiving infrared emissions from objects outside the housing. Step 1302 of the method 1300 includes, in response to detecting the proximity of an object, actuating at least one proximity detector component including a signal transmitter and a corresponding signal receiver.

[0071] In optional step 1303, method 1300 includes determining a distance of the object from the housing. In step 1304, method 1300 includes selecting a sampling rate of the corresponding signal receiver depending on the distance. Step 1304 may include operating the corresponding signal receiver at a first sampling rate when the object is a first distance from the housing and operating the corresponding signal receiver at a second sampling rate when the object is a second distance from the housing. In one embodiment, the second distance is shorter than the first distance, and the first sampling rate is less than the second sampling rate.

[0072] To conserve power, in one or more embodiments, the at least one proximity detector component may be turned off if infrared emissions are not received within a predetermined time. For example, a timer may be started, and if no infrared emissions are received while the timer is active, the at least one proximity detector component may be switched to a power-saving mode or sleep mode to conserve power. Accordingly, in optional step 1305, the method includes causing the at least one proximity detector component to enter a power-saving mode or sleep mode if the at least one proximity sensor component fails to detect the proximity of an object.

[0073] In the foregoing description, specific embodiments of the present invention have been explained. However, the invention is not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments and allows those skilled in the art to make numerous modifications, changes, alterations, substitutions, and equivalents within the scope thereof. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The description and drawings are merely examples and are not to be understood in a limiting sense. These modifications are all within the scope of the invention. To the extent that advantages or solutions are revealed or become more apparent from the advantages, solutions to problems, and elements, these should not be construed as critical, necessary, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims. This disclosure is defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] Electronic device (100) comprising: a housing (101); one or more processors (116); at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202) operable with the one or more processors (116) and comprising an infrared signal receiver (220) for receiving an infrared emission (205, 206; 601) from an object outside the housing (101); at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) operable with the at least one or more processors (116) and comprising a signal transmitter (207, 208) and a corresponding signal receiver (213, 214); wherein the one or more processors (116) are operative to actuate the at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) when the at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202) receives the infrared emission (205, 206; 601) from the object, wherein the one or more processors (116) are configured to select a sampling rate of the corresponding signal receiver (213, 214) depending on a distance between the object and the housing (101). [2] The electronic device (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors (116) operate the at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) in a power saving mode or sleep mode until the at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202) receives the infrared emission (205, 206; 601) from the object. [3] The electronic device (100) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more processors (116) operate the at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) at a first sampling rate when the at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202) receives the infrared emission (205, 206; 601) from the object and when the object is farther than a predetermined threshold from the housing (101). [4] The electronic device (100) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the one or more processors (116) determine the distance of the object from the housing (101) with one or more of the at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202) or the at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204). [5] The electronic device (100) of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors (116) are further operable to transition the first sampling rate to a second sampling rate depending on the distance. [6] The electronic device (100) of claim 4 or 5, wherein the one or more processors (116) are operable to operate the at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) at the second sampling rate when the distance is less than the predetermined threshold. [7] The electronic device (100) of claim 6, wherein the predetermined threshold is less than about 0.30 m (1 foot). [8] The electronic device (100) of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the second sampling rate is higher than the first sampling rate. [9] The electronic device (100) of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first sampling rate is less than five Hertz. [10] The electronic device (100) of any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the second sampling rate is greater than twenty hertz. [11] The electronic device (100) of any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the one or more processors (116) receive user input to control one or more functions of the electronic device (100) based on reflected signals (215, 216) received at the second sampling rate from the at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204). [12] The electronic device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the signal transmitter (207, 208) comprises an infrared signal transmitter. [13] Electronic device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the infrared signal receiver (220) receives the infrared emission (205, 206; 601) at a first wavelength and wherein the corresponding signal receiver (213, 214) receives the reflected signals (215, 216) at a second wavelength. [14] The electronic device (100) of claim 13, wherein the second wavelength is shorter than the first wavelength. [15] A method in an electronic device (100), the method comprising: Determining a proximity of an object to a housing (101) with at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202) comprising an infrared signal receiver (220) for receiving an infrared emission (205, 206; 601) from the object outside the housing (101); Actuating at least one proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) comprising a signal transmitter (207, 208) and a corresponding signal receiver (213, 214) in response to detecting the proximity of the object; and wherein the method further comprises: selecting a sampling rate of the corresponding signal receiver (213, 214) depending on a distance between the object and the housing (101). [16] The method of claim 15, further comprising: Determining the distance of the object to the housing (101). [17] A method according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: Operating the corresponding signal receiver (213, 214) at a first sampling rate when the object is at a first distance from the housing (101); and Operating the corresponding signal receiver (213, 214) at a second sampling rate when the object is at a second distance from the housing (101). [18] The method of claim 17, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance and wherein the first sampling rate is less than the second sampling rate. [19] A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, further comprising: Causing the proximity detector component (141; 203, 204) to enter a power saving mode or a sleep mode if the proximity of the object is not detected by the at least one proximity sensor component (140; 201, 202).

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