SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING IMPROVED DETECTION OF USER INACTION

• US 20080191892A1
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Moosavi, Vahid, Pattenden, Christopher, Kirkup, Michael, WILSON, SEAN
• Granted Patent: US 8,111,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/04 including near field communication means, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0267 by controlling user interface components
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A mobile device, through the use of an NFC subsystem, may determine holster-proximity information, i.e., whether the mobile device is near to (including in) a holster or out of, and away from, the holster. The holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to enter into a user-inactive mode. Such entry into a user-inactive mode may involve disabling user interface components, such as input devices and output devices. In particular, the holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to disable the keyboard, that is, prevent presses on keys in the keyboard from being recorded. Such disabling may be considered of particular importance when the mobile device is going into and coming out of the holster.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an operation mode of a mobile computing device, said method comprising:

detecting proximity of a holster to said mobile computing device, wherein said detecting said proximity includes;

generating an electro-magnetic carrier field; and

sensing modulation of said electro-magnetic carrier field by a component of said holster; and

responsive to said detecting, entering into a user-inactive mode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said entering into said user-inactive mode comprises disabling a user interface component.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said user interface component is an input device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said input device is a keyboard.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said user interface component is an output device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said output device is a display screen.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said generating said electro-magnetic carrier field is carried out in a frequency band centered at 13.56 MHz.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said generating said electro-magnetic carrier field is carried out according to a known interface and protocol.

9. The method of claim 8 where said known interface and protocol is the Near Field Communications Interface and Protocol.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a command to said component of said holster.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising receiving a response from said component of said holster.

12. A mobile computing device comprising:

an antenna adapted to generate an electro-magnetic carrier field;

an electronic circuit adapted to sense modulation of said electro-magnetic carrier field and, upon sensing said modulation, transmit a report indicating that said modulation has been sensed; and

a processor adapted to;

receive said report; and

responsive to said receiving, enter into a user-inactive mode.

13. The mobile computing device of claim 12 further comprising a user interface component, where said enter into said user-inactive mode includes disabling said user interface component.

14. A method of handling a report related to proximity of a device to a holster for housing said device, said method comprising:

determining that a report has been received;

determining whether said report indicates that proximity of said holster is sensed; and

responsive to determining that said report indicates that proximity of said holster is sensed, entering into a user-inactive mode.

15. A method of handling a report related to proximity of a device to a holster for housing said device, said method comprising:

determining that a report has been received;

determining whether said report indicates that previously sensed proximity of said holster has ceased; and

responsive to determining that said report indicates that previously sensed proximity of said holster has ceased, entering into a user-active mode.