Control device and method of use

• US 20050162115A1
• Filed: 01/26/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Co. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Co. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Pendergrass, Isaac
• Granted Patent: US 6,969,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/480
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/86 by hand
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/94 characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94052 with evaluation of actuation pattern or sequence, e.g. tapping

Abstract

A control device and method of used includes receiving a signal from a first sensor and receiving a signal from a second sensor after receiving the signal from the first sensor. In response to the received signals, the electronic device executes the function.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a media door, comprising:

a user moving a hand within range of a first sensor;

the user moving the hand within range of a second sensor; and

an electronic device controlling the state of the media door in response to the hand moving within range of the first sensor followed by moving the hand within range of the second sensor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling step includes the electronic device changing the state of the media door from the open state to the closed state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the controlling step includes the electronic device changing the state of the media door from the closed state to the open state.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second sensors is an infrared sensor.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first moving step further comprises the user moving the hand to within 100 millimeters of the first sensor.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the user moving the hand within range of the second sensor;

the user moving the hand within range of the first sensor, wherein

responsive to the hand moving within range of the second sensor followed by moving within range of the first sensor causes the electronic device to control the state of a second media door.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device performs computing functions.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic device performs entertainment functions.

9. An electronic device, comprising:

a media door;

first and second sensors disposed on a surface of the electronic device;

a logic module coupled to the media door and to the first and second sensors, wherein

the logic module receives a signal from the first sensor, followed by a signal from the second sensor, and, responsive to the signals from the first and second sensors, opens the media door.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, further comprising:

a second media door, wherein

the logic module receives an additional signal from the second sensor, followed by an additional signal from the first sensor, and, responsive to the additional signals, opens the second media door.

11. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein

the logic module receives an additional signal from the first sensor then receives an additional signal from the second sensor, and, responsive to the additional signals, closes the media door.

12. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the first and second sensors respond to energy captured at infrared wavelengths.

13. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the media door accepts an optical storage media.

14. In an electronic device, a method for controlling a door, comprising:

receiving a signal from a first sensor;

receiving a signal from a second sensor after receiving the signal from the first sensor; and

controlling the state of the door responsive to the received signals.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein receiving the signal from the first sensor followed by receiving the signal from the second sensor opens the door, and wherein receiving the signal from the second sensor followed by receiving the signal from the first sensor opens a second door.

16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein receiving a second signal from the first sensor followed by a second signal from the second sensor reverses the state of the door.

17. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the door controls access to removable media used by the electronic device.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the electronic device is one of a computing device and an entertainment device.

19. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first and second sensors are infrared sensors.

20. An electronic device, comprising:

means for sensing that an object is within range of a first sensor;

means for sensing that the object is within range of a second sensor;

means for receiving outputs from the first and second sensors; and

means for controlling the operation of a media door of the electronic device responsive to the means for receiving outputs.

21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the means for controlling the operation of the media door includes means for determining the order that outputs from the first and second sensors are received.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the means for determining the order that outputs from the first and second sensors are received opens a second media door depending on the order that outputs from the first and second sensors are received.

23. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein at least one of the means for sensing that an object is within range of the first sensor and the means for sensing that the object is within range of the second sensor includes means for sensing infrared energy.

24. Computer readable media having instructions encoded thereon, which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer to perform a method for controlling an electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving a signal, the signal indicating that a user'"'"'s hand is within range of a first sensor;

receiving a second signal, the second signal indicating that the user'"'"'s hand is within range of a second sensor; and

responsive to the first and second signals, the electronic device executing a function.

25. The computer readable media of claim 24, wherein the electronic device of the method is a computing device and wherein the function is the computing device opening a media door.

26. The computer readable media of claim 24, wherein the electronic device of the method is an entertainment device, and wherein the function is the entertainment device opening a media door.

27. The computer readable media of claim 24, wherein the electronic device of the method is an entertainment device that amplifies audio signals and wherein the function is the entertainment device changing the source of the audio signals.

28. The computer readable media of claim 24, wherein the electronic device of the method is lighting controller that controls one or more lights.