Electronic device with infrared sensor-based user input controls
US9587979B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 23, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2200/1636
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electronic device uses one or more infrared sensors to detect infrared light from a person's body (e.g., a user's finger) to initiate a function of the electronic device. According to an implementation, the housing of the electronic device includes a flexible portion that opens an aperture in response to external pressure (e.g., a user pressing down on the flexible portion) to allow infrared light from the person's body to reach an infrared sensor. When the infrared sensor detects the infrared light, it generates a signal in response. A processor of the electronic device receives the signal and, in response, initiates a function of the electronic device. The function may be any function that the electronic device is capable of performing, such as a power-on function, a camera function, changing the speaker volume, and launching an application.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.