SOUND OR RADIATION TRIGGERED LOCATING DEVICE WITH ACTIVITY SENSOR
First Claim
1. A portable electronics device, comprising:
- a housing enclosing a circuit that is configured to perform user-requested functions in response to input from a user interface device, the circuit further configured to cause the portable electronics device to automatically perform a locating function comprising emitting a locating signal, in response to detecting a predetermined first wireless signal using at least one sensor coupled to the circuit and distinct from the user interface device, wherein the circuit is further responsive to sensor input from the at least one sensor to automatically disable the locating function in response to determining that the sensor input satisfies a predetermined condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable device is equipped with a signaling circuit that responds to a searching signal (e.g., hand clap, light flash, RF signal, infrared light) generated to locate the portable device when it is misplaced or lost. The device generates a location signal to enable the user to find the device. The location signal may be an audible, light, vibration, or other signal that calls attention to the device to enable the user to find it. The device may also sense events which cause it to disable the sensor, render it less sensitive, or suppress the generation of the location signal. The sensed event is any event, e.g., heat, motion, which indicates that the device is not, in fact, lost.
85 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable electronics device, comprising:
a housing enclosing a circuit that is configured to perform user-requested functions in response to input from a user interface device, the circuit further configured to cause the portable electronics device to automatically perform a locating function comprising emitting a locating signal, in response to detecting a predetermined first wireless signal using at least one sensor coupled to the circuit and distinct from the user interface device, wherein the circuit is further responsive to sensor input from the at least one sensor to automatically disable the locating function in response to determining that the sensor input satisfies a predetermined condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for controlling activity of a locating function in a portable electronic device, comprising:
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a sensor-activated locator apparatus; a signal logic module coupled to the sensor-activated locator apparatus, the signal logic module determining whether to activate emission of a locator signal from the portable electronic device, in response to input from at least one of a searching signal sensor and a suppression signal sensor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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- 17. A method for controlling a locating function in a portable electronic device, comprising automatically disabling the locating function using inputs from a sensor to drive disablement logic in a processor of the portable electronic device connected to the sensor.
Specification