Proximity detector in handheld device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An I/O platform, comprising:
- an I/O surface having one or more I/O devices selected from input devices and output devices;
a proximity detection system configured to detect when a finger is in close proximity to but not contacting the I/O surface.
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Abstract
Proximity based systems and methods that are implemented on an electronic device are disclosed. The method includes sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the electronic device. The method also includes performing an action in the electronic device when an object is sensed.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An I/O platform, comprising:
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an I/O surface having one or more I/O devices selected from input devices and output devices;
a proximity detection system configured to detect when a finger is in close proximity to but not contacting the I/O surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A portable computing device, comprising:
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a housing;
a user interface including one or more I/O devices, each of which is positioned at a surface of the housing; and
a proximity detection system configured to detect when an object is in close proximity but not touching the periphery of the portable computing device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A portable computing device, comprising:
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a display configured to display a graphical user interface;
an input means configured to provide inputs to the portable computing device;
a proximity detector configured to detect objects in space above the display device; and
a processor operatively coupled to the display device, input means and the proximity detector, the processor instructing the display device to display one or more GUI elements in response to detected object, and performing actions associated with the GUI element when an input is made at the GUI element via the input means.
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26. A proximity based method implemented on a portable electronic device, comprising:
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sensing an object spaced away and in close proximity to the portable electronic device; and
performing an action in the portable electronic device when an object is sensed.
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27. The method as recited in 26 wherein the sensing is performed over an entire side of the electronic device.
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28. The method as recited in 26 wherein the sensing is performed regionally at particular locations of the electronic device
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29. The method as recited in 26 wherein multiple areas are sensed in order to monitor the motion of an object.
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30. The method as recited in 26 wherein performing an action includes displaying and enabling a graphical user interface element on a display.
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31. The method as recited in 26 wherein performing an action includes activating some portion of a user interface.
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32. The method as recited in 26 wherein a second action is performed when the object is no longer detected.
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33. The method as recited in 26 wherein sensing is performed above a user interface.
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34. The method as recited in 33 wherein performing an action includes
displaying and enabling a particular graphical user interface element on a display portion of the user interface; -
monitoring input features of the user interface for user inputs related to the particular graphical user interface element; and
performing one or more actions in the particular graphical user interface element based on the user inputs.
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35. The method as recited in 34 wherein monitoring input features includes monitoring a touch sensing device for touches and differentiating between light touch interactions and hard touch interactions.
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36. The method as recited in 26 wherein the portable electronic device is a handheld portable electronic device.
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37. The method as recited in 26 wherein the handheld portable electronic device is a media player.
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38. A method performed on a user operated electronic device having a display and a proximity detector, the method comprising:
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determining if an object is detected in space above the electronic device, monitoring and analyzing the current operating conditions when an object is detected, activating a first GUI element for a first set of operating conditions, and activating a second GUI element for a second set of operating conditions. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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Specification