Detecting three different open ranges in a flip device
First Claim
1. A method of detecting more than two orientations of a device, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting, by a magnetic field sensor, a magnetic field in a first orientation emitted by a magnetic field producing unit, the magnetic field in the first orientation entering a first side of the magnetic field sensor;
detecting, by the magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field in a second orientation emitted by the magnetic field producing unit, the magnetic field in the second orientation entering a second side of the magnetic field sensor, the second side being opposite the first side; and
detecting, by the magnetic field sensor, a magnetic field in a third orientation emitted by the magnetic field producing unit, the magnetic field in the third orientation entering a third side of the magnetic field sensor, the third side being adjacent to both the first side and the second side;
determining that the device is in a first orientation based, at least in part, on the detecting of the magnetic field in the first orientation;
determining that the device is in a second orientation based, at least in part, on the detecting of the magnetic field in the second orientation; and
determining that the device is in a third orientation based, at least in part, on the detecting of the magnetic field or lack of magnetic field in the third orientation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A magnetic field sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, and a corresponding magnetic field producing unit, such as a magnet, can be both positioned near a hinge of a hinged device, such that the magnet, in one part of the device, rotates around the Hall effect sensor, in another part of the device. Three positions can, thereby be detected: (1) when the device is closed and the magnet is “above” the sensor, (2) when the device is partially open and the magnet is “to the side” of the sensor, and (3) when the device is fully open and the magnet is “below” the sensor. The hinged device can have the hinge offset slightly to enable the magnet to rotate around the sensor as described. Alternatively, the locations of the magnet and sensor can be reversed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of detecting more than two orientations of a device, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting, by a magnetic field sensor, a magnetic field in a first orientation emitted by a magnetic field producing unit, the magnetic field in the first orientation entering a first side of the magnetic field sensor; detecting, by the magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field in a second orientation emitted by the magnetic field producing unit, the magnetic field in the second orientation entering a second side of the magnetic field sensor, the second side being opposite the first side; and detecting, by the magnetic field sensor, a magnetic field in a third orientation emitted by the magnetic field producing unit, the magnetic field in the third orientation entering a third side of the magnetic field sensor, the third side being adjacent to both the first side and the second side; determining that the device is in a first orientation based, at least in part, on the detecting of the magnetic field in the first orientation; determining that the device is in a second orientation based, at least in part, on the detecting of the magnetic field in the second orientation; and determining that the device is in a third orientation based, at least in part, on the detecting of the magnetic field or lack of magnetic field in the third orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A hinged device comprising:
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a hinge; a first section comprising one of a magnetic field producing unit and a magnetic field sensor, the one of the magnetic field producing unit and the magnetic field sensor being located proximally to the hinge; and a second section comprising an other of the magnetic field producing unit and the magnetic field sensor, the other of the magnetic field producing unit and the magnetic field sensor being located proximally to the hinge; wherein the hinge couples the first section to the second section such that a portion of the first section can be rotated around an end of the second section from an initial position of the hinged device to a final position of the hinged device, wherein, in the initial position of the hinged device, the portion of the first section is proximate to a first side of the end of the second section, and wherein, in the final position of the hinged device, the portion of the first section is proximate to a second side of the end of the second section, the second side being opposite the first side; and wherein further the magnetic field sensor senses a magnetic field oriented in a first direction when the hinged device is in the initial position, a magnetic field oriented in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction when the hinged device is in the final position, and a magnetic field oriented in a radial direction between the first direction and the second direction when the hinged device is in an intermediate position between the initial position and the final position. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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- 16. A sensor assembly comprising a magnetic field producing unit and a magnetic field sensor with an output, wherein the magnetic field producing unit and the magnetic field sensor are positioned such that one of the magnetic field producing unit and the magnetic field sensor rotates sufficiently around an other of the magnetic field producing unit and the magnetic field sensor so as to direct a magnetic field to a first side of the magnetic field sensor in a first position of the sensor assembly and so as to direct the magnetic field to a second side of the magnetic field sensor in a second position of the sensor assembly, wherein the second side is opposite the first side, and wherein the output of the magnetic field sensor indicates whether the sensor assembly is in the first position, the second position, or an intermediate position between the first position and the second position.
Specification