OPTICAL SENSOR BASED USER INTERFACE FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE
First Claim
1. A portable electronic device comprising:
- an optical sensor operable to detect user interaction with said portable electronic device, wherein said optical sensor detects variation in optics responsive to a user interaction with said portable electronic device;
a display operable to display information, wherein said display is further operable to display information in response to said detected user interaction, wherein said display and said optical sensor are part of a common housing; and
a processor coupled to said optical sensor, wherein said processor is operable to process said detected user interaction, and wherein said processor is responsive to said user interaction to control an operation of said portable electronic device dependent on a speed of said user interaction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are described herein, which simultaneously promotes a positive computing experience for users of portable computer systems and increases overall durability and longevity thereof. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus enhances the user computing experience, in one embodiment by simplifying operation, and is much more durable and long-lasting than mechanical switch and dial type devices it may replace. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an apparatus, which enables efficient portable computer device function, field, and data selection, gaming, input, interconnection, and other switching-related functions, simplifying operation and enhancing versatility thereof, yet without exposing the portable computer interior to any degree to incursion of environmental contamination. In one embodiment, an optical apparatus obviates openings in a portable computer package which would otherwise be required. In one embodiment, the apparatus, capable of sensing manipulation and directed by software, has a light source and corresponding light sensor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable electronic device comprising:
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an optical sensor operable to detect user interaction with said portable electronic device, wherein said optical sensor detects variation in optics responsive to a user interaction with said portable electronic device; a display operable to display information, wherein said display is further operable to display information in response to said detected user interaction, wherein said display and said optical sensor are part of a common housing; and a processor coupled to said optical sensor, wherein said processor is operable to process said detected user interaction, and wherein said processor is responsive to said user interaction to control an operation of said portable electronic device dependent on a speed of said user interaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of optical detection within a mobile electronic device, said method comprising:
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optically detecting a user interaction with a display of said mobile electronic device using an optical sensor coupled to said display, wherein said optical sensor and said display are integrated within a same housing; processing information related to said user interaction; and in response to said processing, controlling an operation of said mobile electronic device depending on a speed of said user interaction as detected by said optical sensor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A portable electronic device comprising:
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a display operable to display information comprising graphical items; a sensor coupled to said display, wherein said display and said sensor are disposed within a same housing, and wherein said sensor is operable to detect a movement of a user'"'"'s finger over a surface; and a processor coupled to said sensor, wherein said processor is operable to alter a display of said graphical items in response to said sensor and based on a speed of said movement. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification