Electronic device with flexible housing portion and related method
US9503617B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 2014 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2203/04102
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The disclosure is directed to an electronic device having an internal light source that emits light along a path through the housing. The housing has at least one flexible portion which, when subjected to external pressure flexes, thereby altering the path of the light. A processor receives a signal (from a light sensor receiver) indicating a change in the light and reacts by initiating a function of the device. The particular function that the processor initiates may depend on the mode that the device is currently in. For example, if the device is not currently in a camera mode, then the processor may launch a camera function. If the device is in a camera mode, then the processor may control the zoom of an imager. If the device is in a camera mode and is also motionless, then the processor may cause the imager to capture an image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.