Sensing device with activation and sensing alert functions
First Claim
1. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality controller which controls sensing functionality of a sensing unit, the method comprising:
- (a) embedding a signal generation unit in the sensing apparatus, the signal generation unit operating in conjunction with the sensing functionality controller to support the sensing functionality of the sensing unit;
(b) activating the sensing functionality controller;
(c) the signal generation unit generating a detectable warning signal which indicates that the sensing functionality controller has been activated;
(d) the signal generation unit generating a sensing functionality support signal used to support the sensing functionality of the sensing unit; and
(e) detecting the sensing apparatus based on the warning signal.
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Abstract
A sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality controller and a method of detecting the sensing apparatus is disclosed. A signal generation unit embedded in the sensing apparatus operates in conjunction with the sensing functionality controller to support the sensing functionality of the sensing unit. The signal generation unit generates one or more sensing functionality support signals used to enhance content obtained by the sensing unit, (e.g., a flash for illuminating a sensed target such that content obtained by the sensing unit is not too dark, or a sound or light-based auto focus signal to make sure that the content is not out of focus). When the sensing functionality controller is activated, the same signal generation unit generates a detectable warning signal, (e.g., sound, light, radio wave), which indicates that the sensing functionality controller has been activated and/or the sensing unit is sensing.
106 Citations
57 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality controller which controls sensing functionality of a sensing unit, the method comprising:
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(a) embedding a signal generation unit in the sensing apparatus, the signal generation unit operating in conjunction with the sensing functionality controller to support the sensing functionality of the sensing unit;
(b) activating the sensing functionality controller;
(c) the signal generation unit generating a detectable warning signal which indicates that the sensing functionality controller has been activated;
(d) the signal generation unit generating a sensing functionality support signal used to support the sensing functionality of the sensing unit; and
(e) detecting the sensing apparatus based on the warning signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality, the method comprising:
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(a) activating the sensing functionality;
(b) the sensing apparatus emitting at least one detectable warning signal which indicates that the sensing functionality has been activated; and
(c) locating the sensing apparatus based on the warning signal.
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16. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality, the method comprising:
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(a) activating the sensing functionality;
(b) the sensing apparatus emitting at least one detectable warning signal which indicates that the sensing functionality has been activated; and
(c) identifying a user of the sensing apparatus based on the warning signal.
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17. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality, the method comprising:
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(a) activating the sensing functionality;
(b) the sensing apparatus emitting at least one detectable warning signal which indicates that the sensing functionality has been activated; and
(c) identifying the sensing apparatus based on the warning signal.
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18. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality, the method comprising:
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(a) activating the sensing functionality;
(b) the sensing apparatus emitting at least one detectable warning signal which indicates that sensing is occurring or is going to occur in the immediate future; and
(c) locating the sensing apparatus based on the warning signal.
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19. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality, the method comprising:
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(a) activating the sensing functionality;
(b) the sensing apparatus emitting at least one detectable warning signal which indicates that sensing is occurring or is going to occur in the immediate future; and
(c) identifying a user of the sensing apparatus based on the warning signal.
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20. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality, the method comprising:
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(a) activating the sensing functionality;
(b) the sensing apparatus emitting at least one detectable warning signal which indicates that sensing is occurring or is going to occur in the immediate future; and
(c) identifying the sensing apparatus based on the warning signal.
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21. A method of detecting a sensing apparatus having a sensing functionality, the method comprising:
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(a) the sensing apparatus emitting a first warning signal after the sensing functionality is activated but sensing has not yet occurred;
(b) the sensing apparatus emitting a second warning signal when sensing is occurring or is going to occur in the immediate future;
(c) the sensing apparatus emitting additional warning signals on a periodic basis as long as the sensing continues to occur; and
(d) detecting at least one of the warning signals. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A sensing apparatus comprising:
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(a) a sensing unit having sensing functionality;
(b) a sensing functionality controller which controls the sensing unit;
(c) a sensing functionality activator; and
(d) a signal generation unit for emitting a first warning signal after the sensing functionality is activated by the activator but sensing by the sensing unit has not yet occurred, a second warning signal when sensing is occurring or is going to occur in the immediate future, and additional warning signals on a periodic basis as long as the sensing performed by the sensing unit continues to occur. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A sensing apparatus comprising:
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(a) a sensing unit having sensing functionality;
(b) a sensing functionality controller which controls sensing functionality of the sensing unit;
(c) a signal generation unit which operates in conjunction with the sensing functionality controller to support the sensing functionality of the sensing unit, wherein when the sensing functionality controller is activated, the signal generation unit generates a detectable warning signal which indicates that the sensing functionality controller has been activated. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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Specification