MOBILE DEVICE WITH PROXIMITY SENSOR

• US 20120211656A1
• Filed: 02/22/2011
• Published: 08/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Katz, Marshall Joseph, Lewis, Ian Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,618,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/338.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94108 making use of reflection

Abstract

A mobile device including a source for emitting electromagnetic radiation, an enclosure having a side wall, and a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source is described. At least a portion of the sidewall is adapted to transmit electromagnetic radiation from the source. The source and detector are positioned inside the enclosure. The detector is spaced from the source, and is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation from the source that is reflected from an object outside the enclosure and passes through the portion of the side wall.

Claims

1. A mobile device comprising:

a source for emitting electromagnetic radiation;

an enclosure having a side wall, at least a portion of the side wall adapted to transmit electromagnetic radiation from the source; and

a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source, the source and detector being positioned inside the enclosure;

wherein the detector is spaced from the source, and is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation from the source that is reflected from an object outside the enclosure and passes through the portion of the side wall.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a transducer positioned inside the enclosure between the source and the detector.

3. The mobile device of claim 2 wherein the transducer blocks a direct line of sight between the source and the detector.

4. The mobile device of claim 2 wherein the transducer is a speaker or a microphone.

5. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein electromagnetic radiation emitted from the source is shaped to shield a direct line of sight between the source and the detector.

6. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the detector has a field of view which is shaped to shield a direct line of sight between the source and the detector.

7. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the portion of the sidewall is sound permeable.

8. The mobile device of claim 7 wherein the portion of the side wall is a grille.

9. The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB);

the source and the detector being mounted on the PCB.

10. The mobile device of claim 2 further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB);

the source, the detector and the transducer being mounted on the PCB.

11. The mobile device of claim 10 wherein the source and the detector are mounted on a first side of the PCB, and the transducer is mounted on a second side of the PCB.

12. The mobile device of claim 1 further comprising a processor, the processor being configured to receive detection information from the detector.

13. The mobile device of claim 12, the processor being further configured to filter detection information for electromagnetic radiation detected by the detector that has reflected off an inside surface of the enclosure.

14. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source and detected by the detector falls within the electromagnetic spectrum range of infrared, ultraviolet or visible light.

15. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a communication device configured to connect to a server over at least one mobile network.